According to court records, Socorro City Rep. Jesse Gandara Jr. and police Sgt. Refurio Orta were indicted on theft charges Thursday.

The two Socorro city officials face theft charges of property more than $1,500 and less than $20,000. 

The specifics of the theft charges have not been released.

The city’s spokesperson said the charges may involve travel expenses.

 "The allegations by other city council members are based on limited knowledge which the city does have right now, and I can tell you this seems to involve an approved request by the two for an advancement of travel money,” said David Garcia, spokesperson for the city.

Garcia said the excess funds used on approved travel were reimbursed.

Last month, Gandara accused El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles of having a grudge against Socorro city employees, including him. 

At the time, Wiles admitted he does have Gandara in his sights for several charges, including the alleged bribery attempt of Lincon Dairy concerning Socorro's annexation plan.

Gandara resigned earlier this month from council after the Texas attorney general expressed his opinion that council members had unlawfully extended their term limits without an election. The attorney general said council members were holding office in violation of state law. 

Gandara still has voting power on the council until a special May election. However, Gandara previously said he felt as though the sheriff's investigations are personal.

As KFOX14 previously reported, Orta was involved in several controversies in 2012. In October, he was one of five city officials that were arrested during a raid by state troopers. At that time, Orta was facing official oppression charges.

In July, KFOX14 reported that Orta was one of four Socorro city officials being investigated by the El Paso County Sheriff's Office for misuse of city money. 

Orta was also named in a personnel incident report from Feb. 23, 2011, that alleged Orta forced officers to give out traffic tickets in order to generate money for the Socorro Police Department.