OpenCdA’s post dated August 31, 2013, and titled Another Mayor Charged – Corruption introduced readers to Mayor Omar Vela and his family of Progreso, Texas.  They’re facing a federal judge on corruption charges.

Now in a September 4, 2013, Associated Press and Denver Post article headlined FBI:  Family ran Texas town through intimidation, we learn that the FBI had begun its corruption investigation in the small town of Progreso, Texas (population about 5,700 now) in 2005.

It’s particularly interesting that one of the defense attorneys observed that because of Progreso’s small size, cultural ties to Mexico, and isolation, the Velas thought pay-to-play was acceptable.  As the attorney was quoted saying, “People seem to think it’s OK.  I did something for you, so you can do something for me.”

It sounds quite a bit like the rationalization of pay-to-play expressed by some ostensibly reputable people in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.  OpenCdA feels badly for the people of Progreso.  Eight years is a long time to wait for the feds to act.  Then again, it’s pretty clear that just as in Idaho, the state officials in that area of Texas were either unwilling or unable to do their jobs.