READ: Official: Marra probe in D.A.'s hands

REFERRING TO THE KORI MARRA CONFLICT OF INTEREST CHARGES. HERE IS THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT FILED WITH THE CITY OF HARLINGEN CITY ATTORNEY!

State of Texas

County of Cameron

Sworn Affidavit

My name is Yolanda Shoffeitt and I am over the age of eighteen. I reside at 284 South Altas Palmas, Harlingen, TX 78552.

For over thirty years of my life, I have been attending city meetings in Harlingen. On September 1, 2010, at approximately 5 pm, I accommodated myself in the second floor of Harlingen City Hall in preparation for the 5:30 pm regularly scheduled city meeting. One of the agenda items as posted read as follows:

7) Presentation of a petition by Downtown property owners in accordance with Chapter 372 of the Texas Local Government Code to reauthorize a public improvement assessment district. Applicant: Downtown Property Owners, City of Harlingen.(Planning & Development)

When the above agenda item came up for discussion, Harlingen City Commissioner Kori Marra entered the discussion stage of this item. The issues as presented through some citizen comments were heated and City Commissioner Kori Marra participated in the heated debate. It is my belief that she should have recused herself from the discussion of the item because she is a downtown property owner. She has her real estate office located on 315 East Jackson and since the posted agenda item are about improvements and programs for the downtown area, she stands to gain financially if the item is approved.

Further she engaged in a heated debate with Harlingen City Commissioners Robert Leftwich, Jerry Prepejchal, and Joey Trevino. Commissioner Robert Leftwich pointed out to Commissioner Marra that she had a conflict of interest. The City Attorney Roxanne Controneo was made aware of the conflict of interest and in normal circumstances; she may have had an opportunity to ask the person in conflict to leave the room. In this case, the debate was so heated that it was apparent that Commissioner Kori Marra was not going to leave the room.

I am submitting the following items as evidence and are marked as attachments. I request that this matter be investigated pursuant to the Ethics Ordinance and request a special prosecutor be appointed on this matter to avoid any inherent conflicts of interest between employees and employer and any other special friendships that may have developed.

Attachment A: READ: City Ethics Ordinance-06-39 and City Ethics Ordinance-07-18

Attachment B: READ: City Commission Agenda for Harlingen City Commission meeting on September 1, 2010 AND City Commission Minutes for Harlingen City Commission meeting on September 1, 2010

Attachment C: READ: Valley Morning Star News story where Ms. Marra admits that she is a downtown business owner and makes other comments

Attachment D: Internet research on Marra’s real estate office

Attachment E: DVD video provided by private investigator Joe Rubio

I, Yolanda Shoffeitt, swear that I have knowledge of the facts alleged in this affidavit and that the information contained in this affidavit is true and correct.

__________________________ Notary Seal

Signature of affiant

Sworn to and subscribed before me, by the said affiant Yolanda Shoffeitt, this the 3^rd day of September, 2010, to certify which, witness my hand and seal of office.

__________________________________________________

Notary Public for the State of Texas Signature/Print Name