HARLINGEN — In the wake of City Commissioner Frank Morales’ allegations of City Hall favoritism in purchasing practices, commissioners are vehemently refuting the claims, accusing him of using his seat on the board to “politically grandstand” while questioning why he hasn’t taken any charges to authorities.

In a heated meeting Wednesday, Morales accused staff of turning to a “buddy” for purchases, later appearing to retract his comments as commissioners prepared to cast their votes on the second reading of an ordinance setting a $69.9 million general fund budget.

“We just blindly go with certain vendors over and over and don’t look to see if we can find cost-saving measures,” Morales, who voted against passing the budget, said to commissioners and City Manager Gabriel Gonzalez.

Before c

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