Hidalgo County Commissioner Sylvia Handy is expected to face a federal judge after grand jury has handed down a new superseding indictment against her and her husband.
A federal grand jury in McAllen handed down the indictment on November 12th charging Handy with the following charges:
- Conspiracy to Conceal or Harbor Aliens (four counts)
- Aiding and Abetting and Concealing or Harboring Aliens for Commercial Advantage or Private Financial Gain (four counts)
- False Statements on Tax Return (three counts)
Her husband Juan Gabriel Espronceda is charged with:
- Aiding and Abetting and Concealing or Harboring Aliens for Commercial Advantage or Private Financial Gain (one count)
- Conspiracy to Conceal or Harbor Aliens (one count)
The 65-page indictment accuses the Precinct 1 Commissioner of using a phantom employee to hire an illegal immigrant from Mexico to provide babysitting and housekeeping services at her home.
An FBI investigation into Handy's activities was launched more than two years ago.
The Hidalgo County commissioner was originally indicted back on March 26th but a federal grand jury handed down a superseding indictment in May.
The November 12th superseding added more charges against her.
Court records show that Handy is expected to be arraigned for the new indictment on Monday, November 3rd before U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Dorina Ramos in McAllen.
Click here to read a full PDF copy of the new indictment against Sylvia Handy
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKGBT