Story Published:
Oct 9, 2009 at 7:23 PM MDT
Story Updated:
Oct 9, 2009 at 7:24 PM MDT
HARDIN - In June of 2006 Two Rivers Authority began constructing the 464-bed detention facility in Hardin.
James Parkey, who is the president of Corplan Corrections in Argyle, Texas is the jail's architect.
KULR-8 spoke with Juan Guerra who is the former district attorney for Willacy County, Texas.
Guerra said he investigated Corplan in 2001 and 2002 on possible corruption in connection with a private prison being constructed in that county.
Guerra said his investigation resulted in the convictions of four people; the county auditor, two commissioners, and a man Guerra said was a consultant for Corplan who Guerra said plead guilty to giving the commissioners money so that they would award the contract to build the jail to Corplan.
Parkey was not charged with any wrongdoing in the case, but Guerra has a strong opinion about his business.
"He puts packages together and goes around to different areas across the country. He used to only be in Texas, now they are all over the country, using the same routine. What they do is promise all sorts of things. There are millions of dollars in bonds, revenue bonds and then they go into default. They make their money upfront and within a month they are out of there. They're not there to make sure this thing runs," said Guerra.
Parkey was seen touring the Hardin facility last month when Two Rivers Authority was in contract talks to lease the jail to the California-based firm American Private Police Force, or APF.
Al Peterson, TRA vice president, said Parkey was in Hardin strictly because of his intimate knowledge of the facility.
Parkey was said to be present at a meeting between TRA and APF in early September in California.
When KULR-8 called Parkey at his home/business office in Argyle,Texas to find out what if any his current involvement is with the Hardin Jail and to discuss Guerra's claims we were told that he was on a trip for two weeks.
Officials with a Corplan constructed jail in Bailey County Texas said it took them a year to get prisoners, but they are happy with the facility.
Juan Guerra is now in private practice in Texas with a focus on private prisons.
He said it is a multi-billion dollar industry riddled with problems.
Two Rivers and CiviGenics contracted to operate the jail in the beginning. Community Education Centers, Inc. aquired CiviGenics in June of 2007. Peter Argeropulos, senior vice president for business development could not be reached for comment on the issue involving the Hardin Jail. KULR-8 was told he was on vacation. However, a spokesperson for CEC said the company currently has no involvement with the facility.
;)
You have indicated this comment should be removed.
The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .