EDINBURG – The Edinburg mayor is addressing residents’ concern over his arrest last week.

Mayor Richard Molina released this statement:

“Fellow citizens, I’d like to take this opportunity to talk to you about the State’s decision to arrest my wife and I on allegations of voter fraud. We respectfully deny any criminal wrongdoing and look forward to defending ourselves in the proper venue; that is a courtroom. These charges will not affect my ability to perform the people’s work as your Mayor. I only ask that you respect our constitutional right to a fair trial and due process. Thank you.“

The mayor and his wife, Dalia Molina, were arrested and charged in connection to an election fraud investigation.

Since the November 2017 Edinburg mayoral election, 18 people have been charged in this investigation.

The process has begun in Edinburg that could lead to the removal of Molina.

A resident submitted a signed affidavit Wednesday to the city secretary, which is an official complaint against the mayor.

According to the city charter, after the resident receives the petition forms, he will have 30 days to collect 300 signatures.