La Feria City Commission Seeks Legal Action to Locate City Funds

Photos and story by Martha E. Ibarra/LFN

La Feria City Commissioners unanimously agreed to take civil action against former city manger Sunny K. Philip after it was revealed that approximately $3 million in funds were missing. Philip served as La Feria city manager for over 33 years after being terminated last year by the council.

City Attorney Rick Navarro said the funds in question are certificates of obligation that were for street, drainage and building improvements. “The money is unaccounted for- it could have been spent on legitimate things, but we just don’t know” said Navarro.

During their regular meeting commissioners authorized City Manager Jaime Sandoval to contact outside agencies to help find the missing funds. Sandoval was hired a few months after Philip was fired. Questions arose after the commission heard a report from an independent auditor who reviewed all transfers from the capital project fund account.

The commission spent less than an hour in executive session before emerging and announcing that they will file a complaint with an appropriate law enforcement agency to secure forensic audit of all unaccounted for public funds.

“We want transparency. We want to know where those $3 million are at,” said Mayor Olga Maldonado.

Before the meeting was adjourned, Mayor Maldonado, along with the rest of the commission, presented former Mayor and Commissioner Victor Gonzalez Jr. with an award for his years of service to the city of La Feria.

“I’m going to be here to do whatever I can for my community. Just because I have resigned and am not up here any longer, I will continue to help our community as much as I can. That’s what La Feria is about, working together and helping each other,” said Gonzalez as he received his award.

The next regular city meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 14, in the city commission meeting room located at 115 E. Commercial Avenue in La Feria. The public is encouraged to attend.

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