“He bought a waterfront home near Rockport from the CEO of an insurance company that does business with the district. Diane Mullen is competing to win contracts worth more than a million dollars.”
“Madrigal recommended board members choose her, but did not disclose he had done personal business with her.”
Harlandale school board discusses superintendent’s controversial land deal
By EMILY BAUCUM
News 4 San Antonio
Facebook: Emily Baucum TV
Twitter: @EmilyBaucum
SAN ANTONIO – The Harlandale ISD school board held a special meeting Wednesday tonight to discuss the superintendent’s controversial land deal.
Earlier this week, we revealed how Rey Madrigal recommended the district do business with a company he had recently done personal business with.
After our Trouble Shooter investigation, he decided to talk to the board about the perceived conflict of interest.
The meeting lasted nearly four hours, and the board spent more than two hours behind closed doors discussing the controversy that’s made members of the community extremely upset.
Emotions ran high during the scheduled half-hour of public comments as Madrigal faced tough questions about a land deal some are calling a sweetheart deal.
He bought a waterfront home near Rockport from the CEO of an insurance company that does business with the district. Diane Mullen is competing to win contracts worth more than a million dollars.
Madrigal recommended board members choose her, but did not disclose had done done personal business with her.
During the special meeting, his attorney told the board that the deal was not a conflict of interest because Madrigal did not receive taxable income on the deal; therefore, it did not violate district policy.
It’s unclear if the board was convinced. After more than two hours in executive session, board members delayed any action until next week.
The Harlandale board scheduled another special meeting for Thursday, October 8, to discuss a possible reprimand of the superintendent.
After our Trouble Shooter report exposed the deal, Madrigal promised to speak with us on camera after the meeting. But because the board punted a decision, Madrigal and his attorney declined any further comment.
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