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New Security Systems For ECISD
West Texas Mayor Charged with $300K Fraud, Theft 12/3/12
Associated Press
December 3, 2012
TOYAH - The mayor of a West Texas town of about 100 people has
been charged with stealing nearly $300,000 in a forged signature scheme.
Toyah Mayor Bartolo Sanchez faces federal charges of bank fraud,
wire fraud and four counts of aggravated identity theft.
Authorities did not immediately return a message today about Sanchez, who
was arrested Friday. He's been mayor since 2006.
Investigators say Sanchez, without knowledge of the Toyah City Council, in
2009 signed a $228,000 settlement with natural gas exploration company
Chesapeake Operating Inc. The money was meant to fix streets damaged by
Chesapeake vehicles.
Investigators say Sanchez created a bank account and wrote checks to himself
from that town fund and others. He allegedly forged a required second signature.
Toyah is 175 miles southeast of El Paso.