Former Calexico City Councilman pleads guilty to federal bribery charges

David Romero admits to accepting money to expedite dispensary permits

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Former Calexico City Councilman David Romero pleaded guilty Thursday to federal corruption charges, admitting he accepted cash in exchange for quick action on a cannabis dispensary permit.

The FBI arrested Romero, and former economic commissioner Bruno Suarez-Soto in early January. An undercover agent says Romero and Suarez-Soto accepted a $35,000 cash payment to speed up an application for a marijuana dispensary in Calexico. The agent says the officials also agreed to slow down applications from other dispensaries.

In addition, the agent says the men admitted to accepting bribes under similar circumstances before, even telling him "This isn't our first rodeo."

[Related Story: Calexico City Councilman facing federal bribery charges]

Romero and Suarez-Soto originally pleaded not guilty to the accusations, but later reached a plea agreement with prosecutors. Romero resigned from his position with the city Monday as part of that deal.

[Related Story: Mayor Pro Tem David Romero resigns from Calexico City Council]

In addition to serving on Calexico's City Council, Romero also served as the city's Pro Tem Mayor, which means he was next in line to become mayor. Now his political career is over.

“David Romero was about to become the highest-ranking public official in the city of Calexico, but he and his partner-in-crime sold their power and influence to the highest bidder in a secret pay-to-play scheme,”
said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “They are the ones who will pay now.”

A judge will sentence Romero and Suarez-Soto on September 4. They remain free on bail in the interim. Federal conspiracy charges carry a maximum penalty of five-years in prison and $250,000 in fines.