These details come from witness affidavits and investigative records recently released by the 81st Judicial District Attorney’s Office in response to The Hawk’s Eye’s public records request.

Fuel, fear, and retaliation — here’s what DA-released records reveal about the allegations surrounding Pct. 4 Commissioner Bubba Riley.

More than a half-dozen current and former county employees gave sworn statements to Texas Ranger Terry Snyder, describing a toxic workplace and Riley’s alleged fuel theft.

A former yard foreman reported multiple occasions where Riley was observed parked at the fuel island in his personal vehicle. While the foreman never saw Riley holding the nozzle, he and several coworkers became increasingly suspicious when tire tracks consistent with Riley’s truck were seen at the fuel pumps over weekends and holidays.

A county mechanic told investigators that he witnessed Riley actively pumping diesel into both the main tank and auxiliary fuel tank of his personal truck. When confronted later, Riley allegedly joked, “I bet you thought you caught me stealing diesel.” The mechanic was fired just two days later, without explanation — a termination he believes was retaliatory.

A longtime equipment operator, who later transferred precincts, claimed to have personally witnessed Riley filling up his vehicle and later trying to justify the action by claiming he was “replacing fuel” he had used on county equipment. But according to multiple employees, equipment was routinely fueled at the end of each day using county trucks equipped with auxiliary tanks, making Riley’s explanation implausible.

Another employee from the road crew stated he saw Riley reaching for the pump but stopping after realizing a coworker had entered the yard. Riley then allegedly drove to another area of the property to avoid detection — but later returned to the fuel island after thinking no one else was watching.

One of the most significant breaks in the case came when a Precinct 4 employee set up a game camera near the fuel pumps. On at least two separate dates, the camera captured video of Riley refueling his personal vehicle. Those videos, along with written accounts, were later turned over to the county auditor.

Auditor and Commissioner Flagged the Allegations Early

Tracy Barrera, the Atascosa County Auditor, confirmed in a statement that multiple employees came to her in 2023 expressing concerns about fuel theft. While she initially told them she needed physical evidence, she took action once video footage was presented.

According to her sworn statement, Barrera told the employee to hold on to the video and then contacted District Attorney Audrey Louis directly. Louis agreed to send an investigator to follow up.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Mark Gillespie said he was present when a Precinct 4 employee brought video footage to the county auditor. In his sworn statement, Gillespie recalled telling the auditor that the video should be forwarded to the District Attorney “for follow and prosecution” and “not to let the information sit on her desk.”

Gillespie also confirmed he was present when the fired mechanic came to the courthouse to report that he believed his termination was tied to witnessing Riley refuel his personal truck.

Allegations Extend Beyond Fuel Theft

While the criminal charges center on misuse of county fuel, employee statements describe a broader pattern of bullying, retaliation, and abuse of authority. Several employees reported being singled out, berated during meetings, or fired without explanation. One said he requested a transfer to another precinct out of fear for his job and described the work environment under Riley as “hostile.”

The county auditor’s statement also references separate financial irregularities, including disputed invoices totaling more than $27,000 for road materials allegedly delivered to the Precinct 4 yard — with no weight tickets and questionable verification. Barrera declined to process the payments, citing lack of documentation and physical evidence that the materials were ever delivered.

In a separate incident, Riley reportedly attempted to bill the county for tires on his personal truck using a county-issued purchase order. The tire shop later confirmed the repairs were for Riley’s personal vehicle, prompting further scrutiny.

Trial Scheduled, Defense Representation Identified

Riley is being represented by defense attorney Brian T. Powers, according to court records. He is currently out on bond, and the case is proceeding toward trial in the 218th District Court, with a status hearing scheduled for August 25, 2025.

If convicted of the most serious charge — a second-degree felony under the Texas Tax Code — Riley could face up to 20 years in prison and permanent removal from public office.

The State of Texas is being represented by District Attorney Audrey Louis, who presented the case to the grand jury alongside Texas Ranger Snyder.

Public Trust and Accountability in Focus

The case has raised significant concerns about oversight within county operations — particularly around fuel accountability and the apparent absence of checks and balances in precinct yards. Multiple employees, including another commissioner, confirmed that fuel usage is not logged, and there are no formal controls for tracking how much fuel is dispensed or by whom.

A county employee stated in a sworn affidavit that “there are no checks and balances” for how much fuel is dispensed from the tanks and no receipt system for tracking usage. Another official confirmed the tanks have gauges, but said they exist only to notify the supplier when refills are needed — not to monitor employee use.

With the trial date approaching, local officials and residents alike are watching closely. For county employees who came forward, the question remains whether their efforts to expose wrongdoing will lead to systemic reform — or if they’ll face retaliation for speaking out.

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The content provided in this publication is for educational and informational purposes only. The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News strives to deliver accurate and impactful stories. However, readers are advised to seek professional legal counsel and guidance for their specific legal inquiries and concerns. The publication does not assume any responsibility for actions taken by individuals based on the information presented. 

Additionally, while every effort is made to ensure the reliability of the information, the publication does not warrant the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the content. Readers are encouraged to verify any legal information with official sources and to use their discretion when interpreting and applying the information provided.

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