Bexar County DA Joe Gonzales seeks to recuse himself from Neil Calfas case, citing potential conflict

Bexar County Criminal District Attorney Joe Gonzales is asking a judge to remove his office from prosecuting San Antonio defense attorney Neil Calfas, citing potential conflicts of interest tied to campaign contributions and a past business relationship.

Calfas was arrested in August by the Texas Department of Public Safety on charges of solicitation of prostitution and human trafficking, records show.

In a motion filed Oct. 27 and obtained by KSAT, Gonzales said Calfas made monetary contributions to his 2018 campaign for district attorney. The motion also states Calfas previously rented office space at a law office partially owned by Gonzales before he became district attorney.

Gonzales said those connections, along with Calfas’ history of representing defendants prosecuted by his office, create a potential conflict of interest and the appearance of impropriety.

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A hearing on the motion is scheduled for next week.

The motion asks the court to allow Gonzales to recuse himself and appoint a criminal district attorney pro tem to handle the case.

The motion does not specify the amount Calfas donated to Gonzales’ campaign or how long Calfas rented space at the law office.

What to know about the charges against Calfas

Arrest affidavits accuse Calfas of offering legal services in exchange for sex and paying women for sex.

One affidavit outlines allegations involving jail phone calls between a woman and an inmate from March to May 2024. Investigators allege the woman contacted Calfas seeking legal help for her brother, who was being held in the Guadalupe County Jail.

According to the affidavit, prosecutors allege Calfas offered two ways to pay for his legal services: cash or, as the document quotes, “the other way.”

Authorities allege Calfas ultimately did not provide the legal services discussed in the calls.

A second affidavit alleges a Snapchat video showed Calfas and two women inside his downtown office. Investigators allege the video showed Calfas having sex with a woman before paying her what appeared to be cash.

The video, dated May 31, 2024, included the caption “the deed is done,” according to the affidavit.

Gonzales is nearing the end of his tenure as Bexar County district attorney and will be succeeded by Luz Elena Chapa, who was elected to the position on Tuesday.

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