A San Antonio Independent School District Board Trustee was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud Thursday afternoon for her role in an alleged bribery and kickback scheme.
In a now unsealed federal grand jury indictment, investigators show they believe the 66-year-old Hernandez accepted bribes of cash, jewelry and travel in exchange for her influence on the school board and her vote on numerous insurance services contracts.
The indictment alleges that from March 2008 to May 2015, Hernandez conspired with several people associated with Mullen Pension & Benefits Group LLC and an independent insurance consultant to defraud the school district and tax payers.
"She's not guilty of these charges,"says her attorney Alan Brown. "She's not involved in it. She never did anything corruptly. And she served the public in a very good manner."
School Board President Patti Radle says in a statement, "The news today regarding Olga Hernandez is alarming to our Board and certainly saddens our spirit. We know nothing about this case other than what we have read in the media.”
SAISD Superintendent Pedro Martinez said, “Since I have been here working with the Board, they have demonstrated a commitment to act with the upmost integrity, to focus on our students and build trust with the community. We are waiting to find out more information, and will be following it closely.”
If convicted, Hernandez faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.