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- Authorities in Texas have reportedly accused SpaceX staff of attempting to block access to public roads around its property in Boca Chica and allegedly impersonating a public official.
- The letter additionally noted the Cameron County authorities had not given the company permission to shut down any roads.
- Impersonating a public official is a third-degree felony in Texas.
Authorities in Texas have reportedly accused SpaceX staff of attempting to block access to public roads around its property in Boca Chica and allegedly impersonating a public official.
Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz wrote in a letter to SpaceX Senior Director of Starship Operations Shyamal Patel, obtained by KGRW reporter Rudy Mireles and picked up by Business Insider, that when Saenz sent his staff to investigate, that the company “immediately approached, stopped and detained” them before turning them away.
The letter additionally noted the Cameron County authorities had not given the company permission to shut down any roads and that the county had previously warned of similar alleged acts in April.
Just in: Cameron County District Attorney notifies #SpaceX Boca Chica that unauthorized road closures and enforcement by contracted security officers may be in violation of state laws including felonious impersonation of a public servant. #RGV @krgv pic.twitter.com/nhM8BQQYzR
— Rudy Mireles (@RudyMTweets) June 15, 2021
Neither SpaceX nor Cameron County responded to a request for comment from Business Insider.
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Saenz warned in the letter that impersonating a public official is a third-degree felony in Texas, adding that the “conduct is unacceptable” and that the company could be subject to prosecution if similar behavior in the future breaks Texas law.
“While SpaceX is a valued member of our community, this does not authorize SpaceX, its employees, staff, agents and/or contractors to disregard Texas law,” Saenz reportedly wrote.
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