A federal jury convicted a woman on bribery, money laundering, and witness tampering charges tied to a contract awarded by Mission Consolidated Independent School District.

Veronica Inez O’Caña is out on bond until her sentencing, which is set for Oct. 7, 2026. She left the federal courthouse in McAllen without speaking to reporters after the verdict.

The case dates back to 2018. Prosecutors called it a trial about a deal, dollars, and deception.

The three-day trial centered on a contract awarded to Performance Services Inc., an energy savings company, by Mission CISD in February 2018.

Prosecutors say Antonio Gonzalez III was tasked with helping secure that contract. He recruited O’Caña's help to get the votes needed.

O’Caña accepted a $30,000 bribe to convince her sister, then Mission CISD school board President Patricia O’Caña, to use the money for her election campaign. At the time, Patricia was running for Hidalgo County 275 District Court judge. She is not charged in this case.

Veronica O'Caña is the sister of Patricia O'Caña, the former board president who now serves as a sitting district judge.

Jurors reviewed text messages showing how Gonzalez texted Veronica about the payments. Gonzalez has pleaded guilty in the case and is awaiting sentencing.

Former Mission CISD school board member Roy Vela also testified. He said he and Patricia were lifelong friends.

Vela told the jury how the school board ranked three companies for an energy efficiency contract, which included Performance Services Inc. Prosecutors said Vela shiftef board members' votes to favor Performance Services Inc.

Vela said Patricia O’Caña and Veronica O’Caña asked him to support the company. The defense pressed Vela on the fact that another company on the list would have saved the district more money.

The defense tried to create doubt by calling Gonzalez a liar who was trying to frame Veronica O’Caña to get a lesser sentence. During closing arguments, the defense called him "liar Gonzalez" several times and said Gonzalez did not know where the money would go.

The prosecutor rebutted that argument, saying the point of the case was not whether Gonzalez is a good citizen but rather how someone committed a crime.

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