FBI, IRS agents raid law offices of Sen. Carlos Uresti

Probe connected to embattled, defunct Four Winds Logistics

SAN ANTONIO – There was a much different kind of law presence than usual outside the law offices of Sen. Carlos Uresti on Thursday morning, as FBI and IRS agents were seen coming and going from the office in the 900 block of McCullough Avenue north of downtown.

FBI Special Agent Michelle Lee said agents were "lawfully present and conducting a law-enforcement activity" and that no arrests had been made Thursday.

Lee couldn't comment further about the investigation.

In a written statement, Uresti acknowledged agents were at his office in relation to "the Four Winds matter."

Four Winds Logistics, a now-defunct company that once provided frac sand in the oil field, has been accused of defrauding businesses and using "fraudulent bank documents and financial statements to convince investors that (the company) was a financially sound enterprise," according to court records.

The Uresti Law firm reportedly provided legal services to Four Winds.

The San Antonio Express News reported that Sen. Uresti helped recruit Four Winds investors.

A lawsuit filed in Cameron County by Denise Cantu alleges Cantu invested $800,000 into a venture account with Four Winds, and soon after, the majority of the money was deposited into another account "presumed to be FWLL's (Four Winds) account."

The suit claims "Cantu's damages, if any, were caused all or in part by Carlos Uresti, a responsible third party."

Court records show Uresti owned a 1 percent stake in the company.

The Uresi Law Firm is listed as one of Four Winds' many creditors.

Uresti also said in a written statement Thursday, "I have instructed my staff to fully cooperate with the federal investigators. I will help them in whatever way I can. As always, I remain committed to serve my constituents."

A KSAT 12 News crew was headed to Austin on Thursday morning to interview Uresti regarding a different matter, but his office cancelld the interview, saying Uresti was not in Austin.

The written statement from Uresti later that morning said he was "at the Capitol conducting the people's business."

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About the Author:

Myra Arthur is passionate about San Antonio and sharing its stories. She graduated high school in the Alamo City and always wanted to anchor and report in her hometown. Myra anchors KSAT News at 6:00 p.m. and hosts and reports for the streaming show, KSAT Explains. She joined KSAT in 2012 after anchoring and reporting in Waco and Corpus Christi.