LAREDO, Texas – FBI agents are conducting "law enforcement activity" Wednesday at Laredo City Hall and three other public buildings, officials said.
Agents are also at the City Hall Annex, the Laredo Public Works Department and a Webb County office, FBI spokeswoman Michelle Lee said.
"There is no public safety threat," Lee said. She wouldn't elaborate on what the agents were doing at the offices.
City spokeswoman Blasita Lopez said FBI agents at around 9 a.m. entered City Hall and sent some employees home.
Lopez said top city officials will not immediately comment on the raid. Lopez said city officials have no clue what the investigation is about and are complying with the FBI.
She said the buildings will be closed all day Wednesday and may reopen Thursday.
The Texas Department of Public Safety was also at the buildings.
Image Courtesy: William Espinoza
Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina said the FBI was "lawfully present" at the Commissioner's Court Building.
"The only area that is being affected is Precinct 4. No other offices in this building have been affected," Tijerina said. "While we cannot discuss the nature of the work that they are doing, there is no public safety threat at the locations where they are present."
The Laredo Morning Times reported that a private engineering company, Dannenbaum was also raided. The front door to the company was removed by the FBI as agents conducted a search. Dannanbaum also has an office in San Antonio, where FBI agents were present Wednesday. Lee would not comment on whether the two raids were related.
Statement from Joel M. Androphy, of Berg & Androphy, counsel for Dannenbaum Engineering:
“Dannenbaum Engineering, one of the state’s premier firms for infrastructure planning and design, is cooperating with federal authorities regarding government requests for information. Company management is investigating the basis of the government requests. We are uncertain whether the inquiry is focused on the company’s activities or those of its business competitors. We intend to comment further when appropriate.”
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