The U.S. attorney's office, based on an FBI wiretap, claims that Rangel accepted $250 from a bail bondsman in March 2012 in exchange for setting a surety bond at $1,000. Rangel was suspended without pay on September 9, 2014, by the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct. On September 19, 2014, Rangel submitted his letter of resignation to the Webb County Commissioners Court, which will appoint a temporary JP. Rangel expressed regret that he had "broken my constituents' hearts. For that I am sorry, and I apologize, and I will serve my time for that. I sincerely ask forgiveness of my constituents and would like to express my gratitude for the wonderful twelve years they have given me."