Texas jury convicts woman in school district contract influence scheme

A US jury convicted Veronica Inez O’Cana of conspiracy to commit money laundering, violating the Travel Act and witness tampering after a three-day trial. The DOJ said she conspired with others to disguise approximately $30,000 in payments intended to influence actions related to a potential energy savings contract for a school district; the final contract was not approved.

The jury heard that payments involved third parties, fraudulent memo lines and cash, and that O’Cana received $24,000. Sentencing is scheduled for 7 October; she faces statutory maximums of up to 20 years for the money-laundering conspiracy and witness-tampering violations, and five years for the Travel Act violation.