Former Calexico City Councilman David Romero admitted to accepting bribes.

Romero and Bruno Suarez-Soto , a former commissioner on the Calexico Economic Development and Financial Advisory Commission , pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to corruption charges , admitting that they accepted cash bribes in exchange for promises of official action by the city.

According to their plea agreements , Romero and Soto accepted $35,000 in cash bribes from an undercover FBI agent who they believed represented investors looking to open a cannabis dispensary in Calexico. Romero and Soto guaranteed rapid action on the city permit , and to revoke or hinder other applicants if necessary. According to admissions in the plea agreement and documents filed with the court  , Soto , with Romero looking on , accepted $17,5000 in cash from the undercover FBI agent as the first installment of the $35,000 cash bribe on January 9, 2020 and the second half of the bribe was paid at a meeting on January 30, 2020. Both men also admitted to setting up a shell corporation to launder the money. 

Romero and Soto remain free on $10,000 personal appearance bonds. Sentencing is set for September 4, 2020. The maximum penalty is 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.