An Hidalgo County jury found Bazan guilty of using a stolen car seized by his deputies as a personal vehicle. He is currently appealing that decision.
In separate cases, the Leals have also accused Bazan of using his office’s influence to intimidate witnesses, break into homes, sell stolen property and traffic drugs and illegal immigrants north of the Falfurrias checkpoint, according to the suit.
Since the couple’s cooperation with authorities became known, Bazan and his deputies have allegedly staked out the couple’s Monte Alto home and — in one case — planted a threatening note on their son’s car windshield, the document states.
