Duran Received Over $37k in Settlement with Socorro

City documents reveal that Socorro City Representative Ralph Duran received $37,615.00 from Socorro tax payers in a settlement in 2014. The amount of money came under previous City Manager Willie Norfleet.

The funds come from tax payers and were settling a claim in which Duran alleged some items of his were taken by the City of Socorro. I can't find any documents substantiating what was allegedly taken from his property or anything that actually establishes the value of the items allegedly taken so I can't pass on any details as to what the settlement was actually for or the value of the items.

However, Duran tried to get ANOTHER settlement to be paid by Socorro tax dollars just this year. That item was not approved by city council. Sources indicate that Duran authorized a construction company to park some vehicles on his land and that resulted in some damages that he attempted to get the tax payers of Socorro to pay for. There are no documents available indicating what Duran's argument for tax payers paying for damages that happened because he gave a construction company permission to park on his property was, so I can't shed any light on what he was thinking submitting a claim.

However, according to a City Official, Duran allegedly inquired with City Staff about the status of his claim after he was recently elected to office. Which makes no sense considering the vote was taken in open session in May of this year.

The bottom line here is that Duran has enriched himself with a claim paid by the citizens of Socorro. This is why you have to pay attention to agenda items and votes, because they matter.

He's on the ballot today in Socorro. And sadly, he will get re-elected. This is what happens in Socorro.

Oh yeah, one quick update. Remember the post I wrote about the little caper with the construction signs in Socorro that he had his name and a campaign message put on, and then put in an actual street in Socorro? Well, I didn't want him to think that just because he is an elected official that he doesn't have to abide by the law, because he's not above the law.

So I submitted a complaint to the Texas Ethics Commission. They can levy a fine. I am still trying to ascertain if he was cited for the placement of signs, which is a Class C misdemeanor.