Border Patrol officials under investigation for ties to tequila mogul are also under scrutiny for parties with businessman
Border Patrol officials under investigation for ties to a tequila mogul also attended parties hosted by a wealthy businessman involved in cross-border trade.
Top Border Patrol officials who are under investigation for their ties to a Mexican tequila mogul also attended parties hosted by his friend, a wealthy businessman involved in cross-border trade, raising questions about whether there is a conflict of interest, two sources familiar with the relationship told NBC News.
Mexican American businessman Eduardo Garza, who owns Uni-Trade, which advises international companies on “global transportation, foreign trade and customs,” hosted Border Patrol officials at his ranch in Laredo, Texas, for three events and hosted a smaller group of officials in Mexico for two other events, the sources said.
The sources said Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility is now investigating whether top officials, including Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens and Rio Grande Valley sector head Gloria Chavez, fully disclosed their contacts with Garza or everything that Garza provided to them.
The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General is also asking questions about the activities of Chavez and Garza at some or all of the events, according to the sources.
Chief of Border Patrol, Chief Jason Owens, center, and Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol sector chief Gloria Chavez, center left, at Tequila Casa de los González.@mindmexico via InstagramRegardless of what they did or did not disclose, CBP’s ethics policies prohibit taking gifts from anyone who “conducts activities regulated by the employee’s agency” or “has interests that may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the employee’s official duties.”
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