It's been nearly three years since the state attorney general's office began investigating Webb County Tax Assessor Collector Patricia Barrera.

They began their investigation by raiding her office back in November of 2007.
Since then an agreement has been made and the case will not go to trial.
Our Concetta Callahan caught up with Barrera to get her take on things.

Patricia Barrera - Tax Assessor Collector, Webb County
"It was almost 3 full years of going through this process and yes we feel very vindicated. I felt in my heart we had not done anything with knowledge."

Webb County Tax Assessor Collector Patricia Barrera speaks out on her part in running a gambling operation out of her office; something she says is a common practice in Laredo.

Patricia Barrera - Tax Assessor Collector, Webb County
"I know that sometimes they say ignorance is not a defense but I think it is when you realize what the community and the culture of our area and how this is very prevalent."

Barrera says it wasn't until the Attorney General's investigation in 2007 that she was made aware it was against the law to sell lottery tickets and raffles.

Patricia Barrera - Tax Assessor Collector, Webb County
"Some people might say how on earth did you not know that it was illegal? When you have law enforcement come over and be present when you're doing it that's how you know. When law enforcement themselves was purchasing. So that's how you know you didn't know."

Both Patricia Barrera and the State Attorney General's Office agreed to not go to court.

"What it is is a pre-trial diversion as long as I behave there will be no trial."

And she says this incident will not appear on her record.

"I’ve not pled guilty, I’ve not been found guilty we just agreed to agree to just put it away."

Barrera says she doesn't have to return any money.
What needs to be forfeited is the money made by her employees during those ticket sales.

"How much money did you make? I have no idea. It wasn't my checking account. You don’t know how much you wrote a check for? I didn’t write the check, it wasn’t my account."

The account she says belongs to her employees.
She’s grateful this nearly 3-year ordeal is behind her and continues to move forward.

Patricia Barrera - Tax Assessor Collector, Webb County
“I ran for re-election. I think people thought I was going to lose, it didn't happen. I got re-elected and then came the civil lawsuit and one of the things in the civil lawsuit was if she resigns we’d stop the lawsuit. Well, I didn't resign and I said no we'll go to court so I’m still here, still standing and I praise God for that."

Until the pre-trial diversion Barrera was facing a state misdemeanor violation.