El Rrun Rrun Tantalizes with Vague Report of Possible Serious Crime

From the editor:  In a story that might have found itself on the cutting room floor of high school journalism classes across the country for want of the "who, what, where and how" usually critical to news stories as opposed to the "what if?" and "could have" the account utilized, Juan Montoya of the "El Rrun Rrun" blog, presented an account that raised more questions than it answered.   With the foundation of "word has spread" Juan reported the disturbing three hour long sexual assault of a BISD bus driver.  But, as Juan wove the story, he inserted conflict, at first stating that the victim told law enforcement that her attacker had been paid to assault her, then supplementing that with "we find" that law enforcement types frequently attribute such a report to a "relationship gone sour."  

Juan Montoya

The victim's "acquaintances,"  Juan adds, have suggested "other factors working here," including  "acute embarrassment at a relationship and tryst gone bad, or some other purely personal motive."

What is Juan insinuating?  Is this story a preemptive strike for a politico who anticipates a forthcoming, actual news story?  Sometimes the story behind the story is worth telling.  The field of subsidized "news" stories is filled with hazards, but no one negotiates that field better than Montoya.  

The story Juan runs with eerily resembles one that I heard last night, but could not verify.  This "fledgling newshound," as Juan described me a couple days ago, simply could not run this story as presented.  Below is the "El Rrun Rrun" account, warts and all:


Was There or Wasn't There an Assault for Pay?

By Juan Montoya
By now the word has spread throughout the city and the Brownsville Independent School District that a female bus driver reported to the Cameron County Sheriff's Department that she was physically and sexually assaulted over the course of about three hours at her apartment Sunday night before the aggressor left.
But apparently, she also told deputies that before the attacker left, he told her that someone had paid him to assault her and "very well."
We, of course, have no way of knowing whether that is exactly what happened, but the suspicion that someone had paid the attacker money to inflict the horrendous act upon ny woman would be cause enought o recoil at the crime.
To think that there was a political motive for the attack is nothing short of heinous.
But now we find that some law enforcement types have expressed some skepticism about the woman's report and say that frequently in some cases where the victim and attacker have a standing relationship that goes sour, reports like these are often the result.
As we said, we have no way of knowing what actually happened. Lest someone criticize us for doubting the woman's story, let us say out front that we condemn the crime – if it actually occurred – in the strongest terms.
But in speaking with acquaintacnes of the complaintant, we are led to think that there may be other factors working here. Perhaps the complaint was the result of acute embarrassment at a relationship and tryst gone bad, or some other purely personal motive. Or perhaps the evening degenerated into something not envisioned by either actor in the occurrence.
If indeed the sexual and physical assault did transgress over the span of three hours, then we're sure that the investigators will have plenty of evidence left over at the scene to determine the identity, if not the motives, of the assailant.
In either case, an assault is nothing we wish upon anybody, sexual or otherwise. Hopefully, the county investigators will get to the bottom of this to dispel any suspicion that a political motivation drove the alleged attack.

Scattered Thoughts~Linda Salazar, John Villarreal, FBI, Evaristo Gamez

Linda Salazar, "The Wedding Planner"

After reading Juan Montoya's article in El Rrun Rrunabout Justice of the Peace of the Peace Linda Salazar using office staff as hallway runners to intercept those registering for a marriage license and steer them to Salazar for the $250.00 ceremony, it occurred to us that Salazar was using methodology similar to Nuevo Progreso dentists.  Dentists have strategically placed runners with business cards and price sheets who, once finding out you need dental work, will walk you to their bosses' office.

Juan's earlier article about Salazar illustrated how she tipped  more difficult to work cases submitted by state troopers, constables and sheriff's deputies to JP, 2-2 Kip Van Hodge, soon to be replaced by the as-yet-unindicted Erin H. Garcia.  This gives another possible reason for Ernie Hernandez wanting to create a new JP position for Carlos Masso.  Ernie may have been concerned about Erin assuming Kip's workload.

John Villarreal

With the Election Commission open to applications for a new Election Administrator, what about John Villarreal?  With a degree and bilingual, he meets some of the criteria.  But, this statement by County Judge Carlos Cascos may rule John out:  "If they have been past officers of either party, I know that I would not support anybody like that.  It would give the appearance that somebody was coming in on a bias on a certain political thought process."

Many also still remember how John went livid last summer at EarthFest on seeing Mary Helen Flores, a supporter of his former opponent in the commissioner race, Tony Zavaleta, passing out CAVA fliers.  Add that to his close ties with Ernie Hernandezsoon to be more solidified with the marriage of his sweet sister Joanna to Ernie's son, the normally mild-mannered Villarreal may not be the person Cameron County needs in that critical role.

Jerry Mchale, who is briefly leaving the blogosphere to be with his ill 87 year old father.departs with this kind, if inaccurate, note:  "I will not be posting for a week. Brownsville is in the good hands of Juan Montoya and Jim Barton. I sometimes consider my blog hardly more than the frosting on their cake. But I will return and I will remain vigilant."

We wish Jerry a peaceful, nostalgic visit with his father and family, especially if it turns out, as he suspects, to be their final days with his dad.

Visiting with the F.B.I. can be educational, particularly with respect to understanding their scope, jurisdiction and focus with the emphasis on federal matters.  Just as acts you assume would garner their interest, actually do not,  seemingly trivial infractions may catch their interest.

We've detailed on this blog how Election Judge Arvelia Villolon summoned Roger Ortiz to confront us about taking pictures of vans delivering the elderly, disabled and mentally-challenged to the Cameron Park polling place during early voting last July.  The issue was having a camera within the measured polling area, a regulation we willingly obeyed.  When Ortiz found that our camera was in our vehicle as we told Ms. Villolon it would be, he said that we were loitering.  One of the agents we spoke with found that charge to be out of the purview of the election administrator and bordering on criminal.  But Ortiz has enough problems.  If he can fade off into the sunset and do no more harm to the process, we'll be satisfied.

A popular videostreamed comedy show host raised the possibility of a show themed on the seeming second death of downtown Brownsville.  Fixtures in the Permit DepartmentEvaristo Gamez and Leonel Garza are frequent targets for those who feel permit approval moves along at a snail's pace downtown.  While Mayor Tony Martinez did mention downtown revitalization as a priority of his administration, he finds little to inspire him unless it also involves UTB.  The clandestine forum now called Imagine Brownsville uses its imagination only to raise funds, siphoning off tax dollars via several city entities, but has yet to plant its first tree or lay its first brick downtown.

Cata Presas-Garcia
Courtesy of Chris Davis

Juan Montoya of El Rrun Rrun, in what may be his victory lap of subsidized articles for Cata Presas-Garcia, lamented:

 " . . . . . . . local blogger Jim Barton, of Mean Mister Brownsville, Barton continued to post unflattering photos and unfounded allegations of her being a "puppet" for Dallas Accion America president Carlos Quintanilla. Quintanilla has been a favorite whipping boy for Barton, a fledgling would-be newshound."

While we understand the point of view and the incentives involved, that won't stop us from pointing out the obvious close association of the apparently re-elected trustee with the convicted Dallas RICO felon.

Carlos Quintanilla Eagerly Awaits BISD Vote Canvass, Possible Recount

Carlos Quintanilla

While his blog, CareBrownsville, has been shut down, his visibility in Brownsville almost zero, make no mistake.  Carlos Quintanilla eyes the BISD elections just as a vulture eyes its prey.  The Dallas con artist, who sells himself as an advocate for Hispanic rights with his group Accion America, has done some of his best work for benefactor Ted Parker, the former majority owner of Healthsmart, by manipulating BISD elections so that trustees would be elected who would drop the $14,300,000 lawsuit by BISD for overcharges.

Quintanilla with Cata Presas-Garcia

Parker and Quintanilla are still somewhat anxious to retain a majority of BISD trustees who will oppose the reinstatement of the lawsuit.  With the seeming re-election of Cata Presas-Garcia, the tandem seems to be in good shape, but an additional trustee in their corner would strengthen their position.  While I've been told that Linda Gill-Martinez is that extra majority-supportive vote, I've not seen any actual evidence linking her to Quintanilla.  She has been faithfully supported by Erasmo Dragustinovis, the guru of the Brownsville Cheezmeh cult, whatever that support is worth.

We may have to wait as long as two weeks for final results.  Election Administrator Roger Ortiz' ineptitude never makes things easy.

BISD Elections Turn Ugly! Ortiz Being Ortiz!

Cata Presas-Garcia
Happy with Results

Despite ten years as Election Commissioner, Roger Ortiz still doesn't know how many precincts make up Cameron County.  Oh, and he forgot we have a military with the right to participate in elections.

Juan Montoya broke the story of Roger Ortiz' continuing ineptitude with a comment from an effected candidate:
 "When we went to check the vote, Roger told us that there were four precincts that hadn't come in as well as the military ballots that hadn't been counted," said a candidate. "The questions is, why not? Were they waiting to see what the results would be so they could pull out the others and change the results. This stinks to high heaven!"

A meeting was scheduled for 8:00 AM at the Cameron County Elections Office to discuss the issues.  Deja vu?

Someone leading with a plurality likely not affected by a recount is Cata Presas-Garcia:  “I am so glad that the people have spoken. . . . .  my knowledge of the district as a former employee, my dedication, the experience I have as a parent and taxpayer — and to the people who have guided and mentored me through the years and the support of the voters who elected me.  My duty is to represent the students, educators and employees of the district and do it to the best of my ability.” 

Those words likely sound hollow to administrators vindictively shifted to positions outside their area of expertise or fired or to teachers intimidated by bullying from the ill-mannered trustee.  

Linda Gill-Martinez

The one likely affected by the new tabulations, the apparent early winner for Position 7, Linda Gill-Martinez, may have mixed feelings.  Gill, who spoke haltingly in public forums, seemed "spacey" and "out of it," bolted at a meeting of candidates at the first sign that campaign speeches were being videotaped.  Earlier, after requesting an interview with MMB, she called the day it was scheduled to say she was suffering from the affects of rheumatoid arthritis and was "off her meds."  Since BISD trustee meetings are on local television, such stage fright, reticence may have been problematic for Ms. Gill.

If Roger Ortiz does indeed snatch defeat from the jaws of victory for Gill, the primary effect may be with the alliances both inside and outside the board.  While Gill, might have been easily influenced to tag along with the Presas-Garcia element controlled by convicted RICO felon Carlos Quintanilla, Jose Chirinos may not.  

Roger Ortiz

Gill was also sponsored by Brownsville Cheezmeh with their guru Erasmo Dragustinovis promising his dwindling flock direct access to BISD matters via Gill.  It's doubtful that Chirinos will give the Cheezmites the same special access.(For the record, the Cheezmite success rate would stand at 1-5 if Gill's victory is overturned with Erin H. Garcia being the only Cheezmite winner, although utilizing blatant voter fraud.)

While Ortiz' exit as Election Administrator can't come soon enough, the priority is finding a capable replacement not connected to partisan or fraudulent interests.

Potential Unacceptable Candidates for Cameron County Election Administrator

From the editor:  The new election administrator inherits a staff of eight to manage several elections a year,  order elections supplies, promote voter registration and voting and preserve the sanctity of the process.  Below are a few names that may or may not be considered, but in my opinion have certain flaws that make them unacceptable for this critical county appointment, a sort of preemptive strike to call attention to the unsuitability of certain possible candidates:

Norma Carrillo

Norma Carrillo, the current administrative assistant to Roger Ortiz, dealt with us graciously during a visit to the office while Ortiz was out.  She answered questions about the election code and the handling of mail-in votes.  When we showed her a printout of Herminia Becerra's neighborhood including Western Blvd., where nearly 100% of the voters in 2010 utilized mail-in ballots, she said: "They(The Hernandezes) will probably use vans this time around to bring in voters from the nursing homes."

This showed us that Ms. Carrillo is aware of the methods used by the corrupt element in county elections.  Still, I'm not certain Carrillo is the kind of dynamic administrator that could reach out to the community with presentations presenting the Election Code requirements, deal with voter fraud and the heavyhandedness of elected officials.

Jared Hockema

Jared Hockema, a bright young man, who served as the assistant to the Cameron County Democratic Chair understands the mechanics of elections.  His internship under Gilberto Hinojosa is certainly a negative.  Decisions made while the de facto county chair may illustrate his unsuitability for the job of Election Administrator.  Foolishly, he appointed Linda Castro Dragustinovis of Brownsville Cheezmeh, an organization evidently receiving political contributions from Erin H. Garcia and Carlos Masso through its P.A.C. Bringing Brownsville Change, whose address is the same as Linda's former notary public office.  While very young, Hockema has obvious ties to the old corruption, is simply too partisan, just what we don't need in a new election administrator.

Carlos Masso

Carlos Masso is currently out of a job, discounting his law practice, such as it is.  In a political payback scheme Ernie Hernandez tried to orchestrate the creation of a new justice of the peace position for Masso, allegedly to pay him back for financing the money-drained Erin H. Garcia JP campaign by helping pay for the politiqueras and van drivers utilized collectively by the Masso, Gomez and Garcia campaigns.

Masso is exactly what we DON'T need as election administrator with ties, not only to the Hernandezes, but allegedly with the infamous Escobedo brothers.

Sylvia Garza-Perez

Although just elected Cameron County Democratic Chair, would Ms. Garza-Perez accept the job of Election Administrator?  The thought borders on nightmarish.  The notoriously aggressive, ill-mannered Garza-Perez is the niece of politiquera Herminia Becerra and is not fit for her current job, let alone that of Election Administrator.

Not to overstate the point, but she also has close ties to the Hernandez machine.

Replacing Ortiz In Itself Will Not Bring Clean Elections to Cameron County

County Judge Carlos Cascos
Election Commission Chairman

If outgoing Election Commissioner Roger Ortiz visited with County Judge Carlos Cascos in mid-September about the possibility of retiring to spend more quality time with his family as reported in the Brownsville Herald, the Election Commission may find itself not totally flat-footed in finding an appropriate successor.  The county will have a keen interest in the qualifications and mindset of the new administrator.

Several officials expressed platitudes complimentary of Ortiz on his departure.  Sylvia Garza-Perez, the new Cameron County Democratic Chair said Ortiz "had done a good job."  Frank Morris, the Republican Chair said Ortiz "strove to conduct our elections in a professional manner."  Judge Cascos, perhaps more in tune with the public perception of Ortiz, described his service as "sometimes a rocky road" and "sometimes not as rocky."

The county chairs' gratuitous remarks notwithstanding,  two county elections in the last two years resulted in election fraud cases with dozens of affidavits of fraud, illegalities.  Both cases turned, not on merit, but on technicalities, one brought forward by the Election Administrator himself.  Lost ballots, even entire precincts of lost ballots, multiple inaccurate recounts, affidavits purporting intimidation of poll watchers,  statistical anomalies with several candidates having the same number of mail-in votes, whole residential neighborhoods of harvested mail-in votes were all routinely part of Roger Ortiz' watch.  Recounts were an absolute joke! Simply put, when a recounted vote doesn't agree with the total number of those who voted, someone can't audit worth a shit.

But simply making Roger Ortiz the sole scapegoat does not democratize the process, because a system is in place to perpetuate fraud.  The way election judges and poll workers are selected and trained has to be changed.  Currently, it favors, facilitates manipulation of the election.  The Election Code gives specific limits on the number of mail-in ballot applications a candidate or a non-candidate may pick up.  But the Election Commission allows unlimited reproduction of such applications, easily circumventing the code.  Norma Carrillo, Ortiz' Administrative Assistant, told us that the Republicans submit a smaller version of the state issued application, sometimes handwritten.  What the hell?

The new Election Administrator needs to be proactive with respect the handling of votes of those transported from adult day care, nursing facilities and adult high rises.  He or she must visit before each election with the administrators of these facilities, making them aware of protecting the rights of these voters and the liability issues involved in their transport.  Cameron County has polling places and a mail-in ballot provision for those who cannot make it to the polling place.  There is nothing in between.  We can't allow passenger vans to be turned into miniature polling places as it violates the privacy rights of the voters and facilitates fraud.

Herminia Becerra, "Queen of the Politiqueras"

The new administrator will need to terminate the use of politiqueras to harvest votes.  The currency of this insidious practice was well illustrated by a recent Democratic rally at the Amigoland Event Center where politiqueras were treated like rock stars, sporting the advertising paraphernalia of the candidates and even representing them as a candidate "official" with a laminated I.D. tag.  When one candidate's campaign manager objected to the publication of the picture at the left, I offered use of this blog as a forum for that candidate to clearly state his position on the use of politiqueras.  That offer was never acted on.  Unlike Ortiz, his  replacement will have to deal with this corruption of the electoral process.

Successful prosecution of election fraud occurred last year in counties throughout Texas, just not Cameron.  While Roger Ortiz claims he never observed or received reports of election fraud, the new appointee will have to be more alert, non-delusional.  Education coupled with prosecution is the key to cleansing the election process.  If the newly elected district attorney will not be bothered by reported cases of election fraud the same public pressure that provided the inertia for the Ortiz resignation will haunt the new DA.

Election Administrator Roger Ortiz Submits Resignation Effective Post Election

Roger Ortiz

Election Administrator Roger Ortiz, long considered an absolute hindrance to the fight against Cameron County election fraud, has submitted his resignation to County Judge Carlos Cascos effective January 7, 2013 after the current elections.

The search for a replacement will likely include candidates with the facility to be pro-active in educating the community about the provisions of the Election Code as well as careful monitoring of election abuses.

Update: Attorney Nat Perez Finally Gets Cornejo-Lopez Recused from Cadriel Case

From the Editor: A Brownsville Herald article dated 11/4/2012 by Emma Perez-Trevino reported that Attorney Nat C. Perez was finally successful in getting Judge Cornejo-Lopez recused from the sexual assault trial of Ernie Hernandez relative Aroldo Cadriel.  Perez argued that Cornejo-Lopez held a bias against Cadriel that would interfere with his right of a fair trial.  Initially, Perez claimed that the bias was based on the attorney's refusal to buy Girl Scout cookies from Cornejo-Lopez' daughter.  Below is the MMB story from August 25, 2012:

Ernie's In-Law Wants Cornejo-Lopez Recused Over Girl Scout Cookie Vindictiveness

Aroldo Cadriel

It may not be a coordinated family effort to denigrate or ruin the reputation of 404th District Judge Cornejo-Lopez by the Hernandez-Cadriel families, but it seems so.

The latest verbal missile aimed at Lopez comes from the lawyer representing Ernie's brother-in-law Aroldo Cadriel in a murder case, Nat Perez.

Mr. Perez claims in a Brownsville Herald article by Jacqueline Armendariz that his refusal to buy girl scout cookies from Cornejo-Lopez resulted in banishment from Cornejo-Lopez' courtroom.  Left unexplained was why Cornejo-Lopez wasn't banning Perez now.  Instead, it is Perez who is trying to get Cornejo-Lopez recused from hearing the case.  

Nat (Cookie) Perez

Jerry Mchale, publisher of the Brownsville Blues blog first broke the story on June 28th that Ernie Hernandez was spreading a vicious rumor about Cornejo-Lopez to ruin her marriage and discredit her, paving the way for his daughter Erin to run for the district judgeship in the next go-around.  Is Ernie now orchestrating the recusal of Cornejo-Lopez for her alleged vindictiveness when Perez failed to purchase cookies her daughter was selling?

As Perez explains in his motion, when Judge Cornejo-Lopez saw him in the halls of the courthouse, she directed him to see her court coordinator about a matter.  Perez complied, only to be dunned by the coordinator to buy Girl Scout cookies being credited as sold by Cornejo-Lopez' daughter.  With Perez refusal of purchase came harsh reprisals in the courtroom according to Perez, stating that on three occasions Cornejo-Lopez prevented him from practicing his craft in her courtroom:  

"This conduct is an open, blatant and obvious indication of Judge Elia Cornejo-Lopez's animosity,  dislike and disdain for counsel and her desire to not have counsel practice in her court before her, possibly exacerbated by his refusal to purchase a case of Girl Scout cookies from her daughter's troop."

Corrupt Politicians Are People Too~Norma, Erin, Ernie, Masso, Baseball

Erin H. Garcia, Norma Hernandez

"Today is the last day to vote early friends! I can't do this without your vote! Please take a group of friends and head to an early voting site and vote Erin H. Garcia for JP"

The above announcement that appeared on my Facebook newsfeed was almost stunning in its normalcy.  Perhaps, getting so occupied with voter fraud, politiqueras, corrupted mail-ins has made me forget that even politicos that cheat still campaign somewhat, have a base of support including legitimate voters and do much of the work that honest candidates perform.  

Polls prior to the recent primaries showed Erin H. Garcia consistantly in the low 30's in percentage of actual support.  Among the JP candidates in the Democratic primary, Erin was the only candidate to receive substantially more votes than polls indicated, but she still trailed Yolanda Begum by 500 votes.  In the runoff, the Hernandezes and their politiqueras, van drivers and strategically placed poll workers and election judges pulled out all the stops, blatantly so, to "win."  

Ignoring for a moment the obvious fraud the family utilizes, it still takes tremendous coordination, actual work to manage the politiqueras, van drivers, adult day care employees and others involved in what is obviously a well-organized political machine.  Without that machine, Ernie Hernandez, Jr. would not be a County Commissioner today, nor would his daughter Erin be the Democratic nominee for JP, 2-2.  Norma Hernandez has to receive strong consideration for the 2012 Mean Mister Brownsville Public Disservice Award(Armando Villalobos garnered the 2011 honor well before his actual indictment.).  Like the Zetas, La Cosa Nostra and other notorious crime families, the Hernandezes cannot be rightfully accused of having no work ethic.  

Jose Canseco
Rio Grande Valley Whitewings

The Hernandezes are in some ways not dissimilar to Jose Canseco, former major leaguer,  who played baseball at a very high level with the aid of "performance enhancing drugs."  There is no doubt that Canseco could actually play baseball.  He was highly skilled.  It's just that the illegal drugs added an indeterminable extra strength and power to his abilities, allowing him to garner awards he did not deserve as well as accomplishments noted in the sport's record books he did not achieve honestly.  He cheapened, dishonored, disgraced the game, depriving other honest, non-cheating ballplayers of deserved recognition.  While no one could question Canseco's work ethic, skill or pre-cheating performances, he is an absolute disgrace to the game just as the Hernandezes have disgraced county and city government.  

Has Carlos Masso Found A Job Yet?

Luis Saenz, Carlos Masso
Public Reconciliation

Do you remember how, shortly after the July 31 runoff election, Ernie Hernandez proposed creating a new Justice of the Peace position for Carlos Masso, the loser in the DA race?  This was alleged to have been a political payback for Masso picking up the financial slack for the money drained Erin H. Garcia JP campaign.  Van drivers, politiqueras, home heathcare workers who delivered the elderly, disabled and mentally challenged all had to be paid.  That proposal for a new JP position seems to have been tabled.  

But, now that Saenz and Masso have seemingly buried the hatchet, would it surprise anyone if Masso ends up in the Luis Saenz version of the district attorney office, should Saenz win the election?  Again, corrupt politicians are people too.

The Quandary of the Cameron County District Attorney Race~Saenz or Mattingly?

Armando Villalobos

Another community could have absorbed the hit of a young, arrogant, hispanic lawyer becoming the district attorney and then abusing his office, but not the most impoverished county in the United States.  With political corruption beyond rampant, easily available and cheap drugs, Mexican nationals looking to notary publics for guidance, money being laundered every which way, the last thing Cameron County needed was a DA on the take.  Armando Villalobos didn't just betray his wife, his family, his community, he took a dump on a county legal/judicial system already on life support.  We do not gloat that our harsh words of January 4th proved true:
"If county officials received merit pay, District Attorney Armando Villalobos would owe several years of salary to Cameron County. He should also pay back the cost of office utilities that kept him climaticly comfortable, the costs associated with transporting him from home to office and back, the fees associated with keeping him electronically connected to the his constituents and the information highway. I do not begrudge his staff their pay as they simply must follow orders, although, if whispers are correct, Mando owes the county for the large segment of their workweeks devoted to his congressional campaign.
Villalobos as district attorney is as effective as a lifeguard with a water phobia. As we stated a few days ago: "We pay a district attorney handsomely in Cameron County to fight corruption, but like the cowardly lion in the Wizard of Oz, Armando Villalobos never had the courage. He deferred, stepped over, ignored the rampant political corruption in the county so as not to antagonize any segment of political support as he used the district attorney's office to launch his campaign for yet higher office."
If you think I'm overstating this, please consider the courage it takes for a citizen to come forward to report a crime, whether it be an act of political corruption, an assault, a robbery or some sort of white collar crime. They may be putting themselves in harm's way, risking retaliation, possibly including bodily injury or even death. Then consider the countless hours and expense of law enforcement in investigating, gathering evidence, apprehending, etc. All of this is for absolute naught if the district attorney fails to prosecute. Not to mention that the climate created by a do-nothing DA is one of emboldening political and other criminals to continue their corruption. Do you think County Commissioner Ernie Hernandez is the least bit worried about Villalobos proceeding with a case against him in the orchestrated, dishonest hiring of his felonious brother-in-law or that Carlos Quintanilla is the least bit worried about a perjury charge for false testimony in a deposition or two?
Villalobos has to be living in an absolute vacuum to have the unmitigated gall to run for higher office after exhibiting total failure in his current one. Armando Villalobos for Congress? That's an absolute joke!"

Luis Saenz Initially Going Cheezmeh

With Villalobos run for Congress and subsequent indictment, the door was open for new candidates for district attorney.  Luis Saenz, a former DA, initially reached out to Brownsville Cheezmeh for support, joining forces  for a chicken plate giveaway and Christmas shindig.  Why Saenz tired of Cheezmeh is not publicly known, but soon his Democratic opponent Carlos Masso started paying for Cheezmeh support as supported by the financial report of their infamous P.A.C., Bringing Brownsville Change.  

In the primaries Saenz overcame the huge politiquera effort by the Carlos Masso, Abelardo Gomez and Erin H. Garcia camps because his race was countywide.  Masso won Brownsville precincts controlled by politiqueras while Saenz overcame that with larger margins in the rest of Cameron County including SPI.  At this point Saenz was unbeatable, facing only Republican opponent Chuck Mattingly in the general election.  Saenz could easily become the next DA without using politiqueras or association with the obviously corrupt influences of the party.

"No one wins unless I say so!"  Herminia Becerra

Instead of taking the high road, Saenz participated in a Democratic rally featuring prominent politiqueras and Democratic politicos known for their corruption.  Carlos Masso, who had just attempted to steal the election from Saenz by using politiqueras and election fraud, now was embraced by Saenz who publicly accepted his endorsement.  Herminia Becerra, the "Queen of the Politiqueras" walked into the Amigoland Event Center sporting a Luis V. Saenz t-shirt.  

As one politico told me later:   "Jim, Herminia doesn't wear anyone's shirt unless they pay her. Simple as that.  Saenz sold out."  

Saenz and Masso

Someone with sensitivity to public perception simply would not have participated in an event with the notoriously corrupt Gilberto Hinojosa, politiqueras like Herminia Becerra and Margarita Ozuna, Ernie, Norma and Erin Hernandez, but Saenz was solidifying his base, while letting Brownsville voters know that he is part of what is wrong with local politics, not part of the solution.  

Visiting with one of Saenz operatives, I had learned this even before the October 20th event.  I asked the Saenz rep:  "Will Saenz, if elected, prosecute incidents of voter fraud that have been documented preparing for two voter fraud trials?"

I asked the operative to convey that question to Saenz, but he already knew the answer.  "Luis is smarter than that.  He will not deal with the small infractions but go after the head of the snake."  I assumed he meant Ernie Hernandez, but it was not reassuring that the rep felt Saenz would not prosecute voter fraud.  

Since then, we've seen Saenz openly cavorting with the Hernandezes, Gilberto Hinojosa, Carlos Masso and their politiqueras.  It is obvious he is part of the status quo and that is totally unacceptable.  Cameron County needs better.                                                                            

Chuck Mattingly

So, what about Chuck Mattingly?  He has prosecuted several notorious local cases successfully including child murder/decapitater John Allen Rubio.  One huge question remains about the mishandling of bail for murderer Amit Livingston, who was allowed to go free for 60 days to "get his affairs in order." He skipped town and has never been found.  While we understand it was Judge Limas' call and, no doubt, the corrupt DA Villalobos was involved in the miscarriage, Mattingly's silence is very troubling.  If you can get past that, Mattingly may be your candidate.  Forget Mattingly's suspension without pay by the Villalobos office and rumblings about Mattingly being "difficult to work with."  Anything coming from the Villalobos office has zero credibility.  We don't trust corrupt officeholders anymore than we trust Herminia Becerra.

14,000,000 Reasons NOT to Vote for Presas-Garcia

New, Improved "Caty" Presas-Garcia

Are you buying Cata Presas-Garcia's carefully presented makeover?  Does Caty sound softer, more feminine, less bullying than the old Cata?  In a speech before a tiny group at a campaign event on Central Avenue that we videotaped, she spoke of "working together," being a "team of eight," concepts administrators she castrated, displaced or fired or teachers she frustrated and intimidated might not recognize as the old Cata they despise.  Even her old mentor, benefactor and guru, convicted RICO felon Carlos Quintanilla, is nowhere to be seen with respect to the new "Caty" campaign.  It may have taken a few years, but perhaps, Quintanilla has finally learned that the good con artists are those you never see or read about and is now laying low out of the limelight he always craved.

But, before we soften too much out of Christian charity or the benevolence of "second chances" and find the rehabilitation of Presas-Garcia somehow believable, think of the children of BISD, the shortage of art supplies, hand sanitizer, the swelling classrooms, the mess at Veterans, the vindictive musical chairing of administrators into unfamiliar positions, enormous payouts to administrators for NOT administrating.  The old Cata had a hand in all of this even though her primary mission as an elected BISD trustee was even more sinister.

When a P.A.C. or political action committee was formed in the showroom of VSOP, Pat Lehmann's Chinese motor scooter enterprise on Central Blvd.(his trash consulting business, up for BISD approval, shares the same address), it had a twofold mission.  The P.A.C.'s name, DefeatZayasCortezPowers reveals the obvious function, ridding BISD of three evidently self-serving trustees, but that was simply step one, a necessary pre-requisite to the committee's more important focus, financially supporting, electing trustees who, once elected, would drop the district's $14,300,000 lawsuit against Healthsmart for overcharges.  

The pattern or model for executing this plan was already working at the City of Lubbock, where Ted Parker had sent his heyboy, Carlos Quintanilla to spend money in the city to elect new city commissioners who would see their way clear to drop a similar lawsuit against Healthsmart filed by that city.  Quintanilla was so successful in Lubbock, that before the new commissioners were installed, the old city commission voted to settle the lawsuit for $4,000,000 after seeing the proverbial handwriting on the wall.  Mr. Q's work with BISD would be even more lucrative for benefactor Ted Parker.  

Consistent with the PAC's purpose, it's primary financial support came in increments of $1000 contributed by Carlos Quintanilla, who doesn't even have the money personally to make his house payment.  Ted Parker, however, the former majority owner of Healthsmart, does have money, putting it to strategic use, first in Lubbock and then in Brownsville through his intermediary Quintanilla.

While you may read the spin of Presas-Garcia, mealy-mouthed BISD lawyers and others that pursuing the lawsuit would have been counterproductive, even costly.  But that is a blatant lie, especially since able local attorneys were willing to take the case on a contingency basis to recover the monies for the kids.  Even if the full 14.3 million dollar recovery was never realized, what if 12, 10 or even 8 millions of dollars could have been recovered by the district.  Why would any honest trustee who claims to be "for the kids" turn their back on such funds, especially when deserved, owed the district?  Just as no trustee with a genuine interest in BISD would have done this, no voter concerned about educational needs would re-elect such a trustee.  Yes, there are 14 million reasons to NOT vote for Presas-Garcia.

Butch and Ernie

If you are Butch Barbosa or a Barbosa supporter reading the above, it is not a Barbosa endorsement.  As detailed in MMB, Barbosa clearly has a history of self-service while holding public office:  

"Butch Barbosa gets instant disqualification for being an Ernie Hernandez lackey while serving on the City Commission. Barbosa facilitated Ernie getting city wrecker service privileges, an ethical violation in its own right, but we've heard that Ernie was not simply one wrecker out of three getting calls. Some calls were allowed to go to an answering machine and then told, when it was too late, someone else got it. We're told dispatchers got a $25.00 handshake for handling calls in this way. We DO NOT NEED Barbosa on the school board making sweetheart deals for his bud Ernie. Oh, Butch did get the AOBE endorsement by promising that he would ONLY deal with that particular union in labor negotiations."

Donald Clupper

The alternative to Barbosa and Presas-Garcia is crusty, retired math teacher Donald Clupper.  Unlike Barbosa and Presas-Garcia, Clupper is both educated and an educator with a masters degree in business.  The former stock broker was a BISD teacher for 22 years, seems to understand district needs and favors the reinstatement of the 14.3 million dollar lawsuit.  He is not a perfect candidate, but may be the best option for Position 5.

Meanwhile, Cata pays for supportive blog articles to be churned out, undermining her opponents and those who have helped peal back the thin veneer covering her close association and dependence on the Dallas con artist.  For the sake of the kids and the sanity, stability and wellbeing of the teachers and administrators, please don't be fooled.

Cameron County Stonewalls Clean Election Fight; Dylvia Jeffries Vega, Arcelia Villalon

Election Judge Arcelia Villalon Conferring
with the Andrades of the Abelardo Gomez Camp
During Early Voting At Cameron Park

Bloggers, CAVA Summit in Cascos' Office Fruitless

The meeting in County Judge Carlos Cascos office August 17, 2012 to discuss voter fraud was merely a publicity stunt by the judge to placate that noisy, troublesome element in Cameron County who insist on clean elections.  Wasting an hour of their lives at the vent session were Mary Helen Flores of Citizens Against Voter Abuse(CAVA), and bloggers Juan Montoya, Jerry McHale, Nena and Jim Barton. 

County Judge Carlos Cascos

At the meeting promises were made by Cascos, including written answers to 18 questions submitted to Election Administrator Roger Ortiz about the handling of elections.  Not surprisingly, 2-1/2 months later, those basic questions have not been answered in writing or orally.  Instead, the county has taken an even harder line with respect to opening their records by inserting Dylvia Jeffries-Vega as an additional barrier to responsiveness.  Hiding relevant information from citizens violates the law and mocks democracy. 

Election Administrator Roger Ortiz

Despite the constant stonewalling and evasiveness by Election Administrator Roger Ortiz, eventually some information is reluctantly delivered.  A simple list of election judges and poll workers was finally delivered to CAVA at the end of October after being submitted July 31.  That list revealed the name of the Election Judge at the Cameron Park polling place who openly cavorted with members of the Abelardo Gomez camp, namely the Andrades brothers, while on the clock as Election Judge at Cameron Park as Arcelia Villalon.  The Andrades, who allegedly are connected to so-called 8-liner establishments are said to have contributed heavily to the Gomez campaign.  Villalon, of course, had no business conferring with a candidate's camp during polling hours, but, of course, this is Cameron County where blatant election fraud is tolerated and protected by elected officials.





Here are the questions Election Administrator Roger Ortiz will not answer.

1.  Did Roger Ortiz hire all the current employees in the elections department?

2.  Please review the list of election department employees and list which are temporary workers.  What are the credentials required for temporary workers?  How are temporary workers supervised and disciplined?

3.  Please describe, in general, how the yearly budget of the county elections department is used. 

4.  How often and in what way are voter rolls updated to ensure that the deceased, noncitizens and persons who have moved out of the area are not on the list?

5.  Who is allowed access to add and or remove voters from the voter rolls?

6.  It appears that there are several family members working within the elections department.  What is the hiring policy within the elections department with regard to nepotism?

7.  There have been several eyewitness accounts of an Amadeo Rodriguez accessing materials in the elections department warehouse before, during and after the recent elections.  There is no employment record of an Amadeo Rodriguez with the elections department.  Joann Gonzalez, a warehouse employee, is reported to be the sister of Amadeo Rodriguez.  Please explain who has access to the elections warehouse during election time and the security measures in place to prevent any tampering with election materials.  

8.  Please explain the department’s policy and schedule for recruiting and training election judges and clerks.  Please describe the hiring process for election judges and clerks.  Must election judges and election clerks be a registered voters?

9.  Please explain the job description of Adriana Villarreal and her dates of employment with the election department. (Ms. Villarreal stated to CAVA and others that she is the election department employee responsible for hiring election workers)

• We have several sworn statements from voters who were turned away from being election workers due to their affiliation with particular candidates. 
• We have received complaints about election judges and clerks working at polling places who had affiliations with particular candidates.
• We have received complaints from voters about teenagers serving as election judges in a disorganized and disruptive manner at polling places.
• We have received complaints from voters about polling places opening late during elections.
• We have received complaints from voters about long-standing polling place entrances being moved without proper notice being posted on the buildings.      
• We have sworn statements from voters who witnessed ballots being removed from early voting locations by non-election workers for curbside voting.
• We have sworn statements from voters who witnessed electioneering within certain early voting locations and within the 100 foot perimeter of a polling place.
• We have sworn statements from voters who witnessed curbside voting assistance given by van drivers without the administration of the required oath or the required supervision by election judges or clerks.
• We have sworn statements from voters who witnessed poll watchers for particular candidates taking photographs, in an intimidating manner, within the polling place.
• We have sworn statements from voters who witnessed phone calls being made to a particular candidate telling her to take the vans to another polling location because there were poll watchers at a particular polling place.
• We are finding that election judges and clerks were allowed to work without being registered voters, to work in polling places outside of their district, and some workers may not be United States citizens.   

10.  What is the process the elections department uses to address complaints such as those listed above?

11.  Has any complaint of any election code violation ever been submitted or pursued by the elections department to the proper law enforcement authorities?

12.  Are requests for mail-in ballot applications received one at a time?  Does the elections department accept lists of voters to be submitted for requests for mail-in ballot applications?  Does the elections department receive 100 or more mail-in ballot applications on any given day?

13.  It was reported by elections department personnel that “a bunch of mail-ins have already been rejected” prior to the early vote count of the May 29^th election.  What were the reasons for rejecting mail-in ballot carrier envelopes prior to the early vote count in the May and July elections.  How many mail-in ballot carrier envelopes were rejected prior to the early vote count in May and July?          

14.   Please describe the function of the early voting ballot board?  Who may serve on the early voting ballot board?  What is the training required for a ballot board member?  Are there term limits for a ballot board member? 

15.  We have received complaints from voters about public records being requested from the elections department and the information requested is said to be unavailable.  We are referring to 2008 primary and general election combination forms (originals with referring to 2008 primary and general election combination forms (originals with signatures) and 2010 runoff elections mail-in ballots.  Please explain. 

16.  What is the educational and employment background of Roger Ortiz?

17.  How often are job performance reviews conducted for elections department personnel?  What are the criteria for firing someone?

18.  We are, today, requesting a copy of a letter from Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos to the Texas Secretary of State and to the Texas Attorney General asking for an immediate review of our county election system and a forensic audit of the county elections department.     

Citizens Against Voter Abuse – Cameron County, Texas

Mary Helen Flores, CAVA Admin., 956-371-9177

cavacamco@gmail.com

Vela Confers with Clinton in San Antonio

Bill Clinton, Filemon Vela