Former Midland I.S.D. Operations Buyer Pleads Guilty To Federal Fraud Charges
By: Dylan Brooks
Updated: February 1, 2013
Frank Gonzales Carrasco pleaded guilty to one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds in Midland federal court on Friday.
Carrasco, 45, worked as the M.I.S.D. Warehouse Operations Buyer from July 2009 to January 2012.
In his role, Carrasco ordered and managed inventory necessary to complete work at M.I.S.D. facilities.
However, Carrasco ordered an additional 18,000 pounds of copper pipe and electrical wire on behalf of M.I.S.D.
Carrasco would then recycle the additional materials -- which were lumped onto existing work orders -- for money at Recycle Midland.
To conceal his scheme, Carrasco hid the theft of the materials by adding pipe or wire to work orders for jobs that did not require it or had already been completed.
Carrasco cost M.I.S.D. $140,000 in additional materials costs that the district didn't need.
Carrasco also reportedly collected $46,041.71 from Recycle Midland for the excess material.
Carrasco now faces up to 10 years in federal prison, up to a $250,000 fine and restitution costs.
A sentencing date hasn't been set yet for Carrasco.
In the meanwhile, Carrasco's bond has been set at $10,000.
This case was investigated by the Midland Police Department with assistance from Midland I.S.D. internal auditors.

