DEL RIO, TX — A firestorm of concern erupted during a recent Val Verde County Commissioners Court meeting as County Judge Lewis Owens called for a federal investigation into the Del Rio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, alleging potential misuse of public funds and a lack of transparency with county and city officials.

During item 48, listed as “County Judge’s Comments,” Judge Owens delivered a pointed and frustrated statement on the record, claiming he had been waiting for over a month for representatives from the Hispanic Chamber to appear before the court regarding more than $45,000 in public funds allegedly disbursed for advertising purposes.

“I’ve been waiting for over a month now for the Hispanic Chamber to come make a comment to us or to let us know about funds that I believe were misused or given to a company in order for advertisement,” Owens said.

According to the judge, despite multiple requests, including a personal conversation with the president of the Chamber, no representative has appeared to address the court or provide clarification. Owens expressed deep concern that some individuals who received funds also had a hand in voting for the distribution of the money, suggesting a possible conflict of interest.

READ: Aaron Valdez Takes Oath of Office as Mayor of Eagle Pass

“My understanding is… there was a $45,000, well, over $45,000 that was given to an individual… A couple of individuals that received money were also voted for the main company to get money,” he stated.

Judge Owens also noted that while the Chamber has not received funds from the county since 2020 or 2021, the money they were handling still qualifies as public funds—particularly those provided by the City of Del Rio.

“They are under the impression that because the county… has not given them or they’ve not come to ask money… that they are not public funds… I don’t know how you would separate them from not being public funds,” Owens said.

He also revealed that federal authorities have been questioning local officials about the handling of funds, including county commissioners, engineers, and purchasing officers. Owens implied that similar scrutiny should be applied to entities like the Hispanic Chamber.

“You know, we have the FBI questioning me, questioning commissioners… Maybe they should take a better look at what’s going on out in the public,” Owens said, adding that the Chamber’s nonprofit status had allegedly been suspended without that information being made public during transactions involving taxpayer money.

As a direct response, Judge Owens announced that the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will be excluded from his proposed county budget for hotel occupancy tax (HOT) fund allocations.

“In the county budget, as we move forward… the Hispanic Chamber will not be in there for hot tax funds… In the budget that I present to the court, they will not receive any funds,” he confirmed.

While he left the door open for the Commissioners Court to override his recommendation, Owens made it clear he no longer had confidence in the Chamber’s leadership or ethics.

“Very disappointed in all the board members… I just don’t think it’s right,” he added.

Judge Owens ended his comments with a firm declaration that he intends to pursue a federal investigation. “I am fixing to ask for a full investigation into the Hispanic Chamber by the FBI, marshal—I don’t know who the hell to go talk to. But we’re fixing to find this out,” he said.

READ: Eagle Pass ISD Appeal Raises Questions After Public Records Show No Board Approval

The judge also criticized local media figures, including those tied to the 830 Times and Texas Times, for allegedly failing to report on the controversy despite being aware of the situation and involved in funding decisions.

“This was something that should have been reported. Y’all knew about it, y’all voted on it, and y’all continued,” Owens said.

He closed by insisting that the court will not be part of any perceived cover-up and reiterated that public funds were used improperly.

“There needs to be an investigation because there was public funds used by the Hispanic Chamber to write a check to an individual that did not provide the service,” Owens said.

The motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Flores, seconded by Commissioner Garcia, and passed unanimously, 4–0.