Months before Bexar County officials settled multiple lawsuits filed against indicted ex-constable Michelle Barrientes Vela, she and her former captain repeatedly invoked their 5th Amendment privileges, taped depositions obtained by the KSAT 12 Defenders show.

More than eight hours of civil deposition testimony from Precinct 2 deputies Leonicio Moreno and Christopher De La Cerda included comprehensive descriptions of past scandals involving indicted ex-constable Michelle Barrientes Vela.

New details that could play a significant role in the upcoming public corruption trial of ex-constable Michelle Barrientes Vela are revealed in videotaped depositions obtained by the KSAT 12 Defenders.

Bexar County has agreed to pay the Precinct 2 deputies at the center of the public corruption case against Michelle Barrientes Vela more than $347,000, to settle a flurry of lawsuits filed by them against the indicted ex-constable in recent years.

SAN ANTONIO – A federal lawsuit filed Monday accuses Bexar County Precinct 2 Constable Michelle Barrientes Vela and one of her top administrators of violating the civil rights of two deputy constables within her agency, court records show. Moreno has filed to run for Precinct 2 constable in 2020, while De La Cerda serves as Moreno's campaign treasurer. In late February, Moreno and De La Cerda were placed on leave for the duration of Moreno's campaign, the suit states. The suit also states that both Moreno and De La Cerda were subjected to unfair disciplinary action after Moreno filed election paperwork. Bexar County was aware of these problems and had multiple opportunities to take action.