SAN ANGELO, Texas — The indictment of former San Angelo Police Chief Timothy R. Vasquez has been released by the US District Court.
The indictment, filed Jan. 8, 2020, said the purpose of the scheme and artifice to defraud was for Vasquez to covertly use his position as police chief to enrich himself and others by soliciting and accepting bribes, gifts, payments and other things of value from "Vendor 1," who has been identified as Dailey and Wells Communications, and its affiliates, in exchange for favorable actions in connection with the purchase and "upgrade" of a radio communication system.
According to court documents, Vasquez, as chief solicited and accepted gifts, payments and other things of value from Vendor 1; provided favorable on behalf of Vendor 1; and took steps to hide, conceal and cover up his activity and the nature and scope of his dealings with them.
The dealings began in early 2007, according to the indictment, when the City of San Angelo issued a request for proposal asking for bids for a new public safety radio system. In March 2007, three vendors sent bids and in April 2007, presented their bids to the San Angelo City Council.
Vendor 1 proposed a radio system that did not utilize P25 technology, as requested in the proposal. Vendor 2 presented a system with P25 technology and initially had the lowest bid, but was not selected because of the maintenance contract pricing. Vendor 3 was not selected because of prior performance issues with their product.
Timeline:
Before April 5, 2007 - Vasquez solicited a vacation trip from Vendor 2.
On or about April 5, 2007 - A committee, which included Vasquez, recommended to the mayor and City Council to negotiate a contract with Vendor 1.
July 13, 2007 - Juniper Valley, L.P., an affiliate of Vendor 1, wrote a $10,000 check to Vasquez's band Funky Munky. The check was endorsed and deposited into Vasquez's personal bank account on July 17, 2007.
Sept. 18, 2007 - An agreement between the City of San Angelo and Vendor 1 was made effective Sept. 18, 2007, where COSA agreed to purchase an EDACS "trunked radio system" for $5.6 million.
Nov. 26, 2007 - Juniper Valley wrote an $8,000 check to "Funky Munky Band." That check was endorsed by Vasquez, who deposited $4,400 into his personal bank account, then withdrew $3,600 in cash.
Dec. 20, 2008 - Another check from Juniper Valley to Funky Munky in the amount of $8,000.
July 11, 2009 - Line 16 of the indictment states an unknown amount was paid to Funky Munky, according to Vendor 1.
Dec. 3, 2009 - Juniper Valley writes $8,000 check to Tim Vasquez with notation "Funky Munky." Vasquez endorses check and deposits $4,500 into his personal bank account and receives $3,500 cash Dec. 7.
Dec. 9, 2009 - Vendor 1 writes $8,000 to Funky Munky with notation, "xmas party." Check is endorsed and $5,600 deposited into Vasquez's personal account; $2,700 cash is received by Vasquez on Dec. 12.
On or about Jan. 28, 2014 - Vasquez and a COSA employee discuss, via email, using the term "migration" rather than "upgrade" because the EDACS system was being "phased out." Vasquez instructs employee he wants to "use the same vendor (Vendor 1)."
On or about June 18, 2014 - Vasquez responds to email discussing a trip to San Antonio on the invitation of an agent of Vendor 1 regarding "migration" of the system in place to a P25-compliant system. The indictment quotes Vasquez as saying, "This is something we need to move forward on. Especially as we see more and more issues arising."
July 2014 - Vasquez and "several" COSA employees travel to San Antonio to meet with Vendor 1 employees. During the trip, Vasquez urges COSA's city manager to support Vendor 1.
On or about Nov. 12, 2014 - A COSA employee and Vasquez discuss, via email, that Vendor 1 recommend "6 million total to include a contingency" for the update to the system.
Dec. 13, 2014 - Buster and Buddy L.P., an affiliate of Vendor 1, writes a $10,000 check to Funky Munky with the notation, "band." The check is endorsed by Vasquez Dec. 15 - $6,600 is deposited into his personal account and $3,400 is received in cash.
On or about Jan. 6, 2015 - COSA City Council meets to discuss upgrade of Vendor 1 radio communications system.
On or about Jan. 7, 2015 - A COSA employee emails Vasquez Chapter 252 of the Texas Local Government Code, highlighting an exemption from the competitive bidding process for "a procurement necessary to preserve or protect the public health or safety of the municipality's residents." Vasquez responds on or about Jan. 12, 2015, and he and the employee exchange more emails.
On or about May 18, 2015 - A Vendor 1 representative emails "project price summary" to COSA employee with an "H-GAC contract discount" of $1.9 million and an H-GAC buy 1.5% contract fee of $84,734.31; along with the trade-in allowance and system discount of $1.4 million, determined by a Vendor 1 representative.
May 28, 2015 - Vasquez and Vendor 1 employee collaborate via email on a PowerPoint presentation for COSA City Council.
On or about June 2, 2015 - COSA employee gives PowerPoint presentation with input from Vendor 1 to City Council with specific terminology. Vasquez participates in presentation.
June 2, 2015 - COSA adopts "a resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute a communications system agreement with Vendor 1 for purchase of a P25 Phase II simulcast system.....not to exceed $5,733,692.16..."
June 2015 - COSA City Manager signs agreement for 800 MHz P25 II system.
July 2015 - COSA mails down payment check in the amount of $573,369.22 to Vendor 1.
October 2015 - COSA mails $2.8 million check to Vendor 1 as "50% contract user equipment" for upgrade of radio system.
On or about Dec.12, 2015 - Trixie & Fini, an affiliate of Vendor 1, paid Vasquez $8,000 cash for Funky Munky band to play at a Christmas party
On or about Dec. 29, 2015 - COSA sends $1.4 million check to Vendor 1 as a "25% contract acceptance fee."
Dec. 7, 2016 - Vendor 1 writes $50,000 check to Funky Munky with "Timothy R. Vasquez" as a notation in the memo section. The check is endorsed and deposited into Vasquez's personal bank account.
The mail fraud counts in the indictment stem from the checks from the City of San Angelo being sent to Vendor 1, via US Postal Service mail.
If convicted, Vasquez will forfeit any property, real or personal, purchased with traceable funds from the indictment; and approximately $136,000. He also faces up to 70 years in prison.
We reached out to Vasquez for comment Friday, but he did not respond.
