3 former Texas DOT employees plead guilty to bribery

Three men could face up to 10 years in prison.

The Associated Press

5/30/2008

McALLEN, Texas —Three former Texas Department of Transportation employees have pleaded guilty in federal court to soliciting and taking bribes.

The three pleaded guilty Friday before U.S. District Judge Randy Crane. They could each face up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 fine.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said former District Maintenance Administrator Cresenciano "Chano" Falcon of Edinburg, Ray Llanes of San Benito and Noe Beltran of San Juan, arranged to take bribes connected to highway sweeping contracts.

Falcon is charged with taking a $2,000 bribe from an informant in November. Llanes and Beltran allegedly took $200 each from an informant in November and January, respectively.