Those present at the campaign fundraiser for Maria De Ford, a candidate to replace Cameron County District Attorney Armando Villalobos if he should make a run for new congressional district 34 were struck by her speech at the gathering at the Gladys Porter pavilion Thursday.
"She said that we had to put an end to the corruption in Cameron County," said a person who attended. "I don't know whether she was referring to corruption in general, or whether she was referring to her opponents."De Ford's opponents include former DA and current DA special prosecutor and magistrate or Carlos Masso, a former Assistant DA in Mando's shop. Or could it be perhaps that she was referring to the ongoing federal investigation into the Limas case which has also touched a former investigator in Villalobos' office.
"I had heard her speak before but she had never spoken so directly about the subject," said an attorney attending the bash. "Maybe she's trying to distance herself from the others."Some of our readers have emailed us some interesting points to ponder. For example, it is well known throughout the Cameron County bar that the DA’s office has a policy that if an employee who works for that office is running for a political office that is countywide then they must resign at least six months prior to the election.
For example, when Eloy Cano ran for sheriff, he was made to resign.
Likewise, when David Gonzalez III, now a judge, ran for that position, he had to take a leave of absence without pay.
Yet, De Ford has already announced that she is running but yet she has not resigned.
Chuck Mattingly, who was also reported to be eying the office, has not officially announced he is running. Does this mean that Maria is actively campaigning on county time?
The word that El Rrun-Rrun gets is that is that the situation at the DA’s office is chaotic. Sources say that she is practically giving away the store in criminal cases in order to gain the support of the defense attorneys.Now that she has made change the byword for her campaign, it will be interesting to see how that squares with the fact that she is a supervisor at the office.
What changes is she talking about? And why hasn’t she done anything about it if she is there?And since Saenz is also actively campaigning for the DA position and is a special prosecutor and a magistrate at Carrizales, will he be forced to resign?
Or is the rule meant to be broken when it suits the boss?
22 comments:
I've heard her speak at several functions and she keeps saying the DA's Office needs change but she don't say what change! I would love to hear what changes are needed. What are the problems with the office that need change? I bet she won't say because she can't bite the hand that feeds her.
Isn't that why they have that policy to begin with? so that prosecutors don't make bad recommendation on cases because they want the support of the defense attorney. Someone needs to do something about this! This is an outrage!!
There is nothing to be outraged about. Maria is honorable, honest and straight forward. As a defense attorney, I can assure everyone that she continues to do her job, as a prosecutor, with integrity. There is nothing sinister about her, or any D.A. candidate (even an incumbent) asking for support from the defense bar while at the same time zealously prosecuting defendants - that's what we do; we objectively represent the best interests of our clients without letting our personal feelings toward one another sway our professional responsibilities. Limas and company are the exceptions, I assure you.
I got news for you. The defense bar is made up for the most part of struggling attorneys who make little to nothing chasing court appointments. It is the civil lawyers that make the money in Cameron County. Not only do they not practice criminal law they also do not contribute money to the District Attorney race. They could care less who wins.
First of all Maria, "whats this WE shit? This is typical Maria De Ford, taking credit for others work? Maria hasn't work a lick since she was tapped on the shoulder by Mandito to run for DA. Her second chair has been running the court and everyone in the courthouse and DA's office knows that. Maria is known around the courthouse and DA's office as being "two face backstabbing lying fake! Not necessarily in that order? Maria knows how to BS with the best of them while stabbing you in the back and smiling at the same time. It is known in the DA office that Maria backed out of a murder case involving a Mexican Mafia member because it would take up her time from campaigning. So did Mandito! They both wasted time, money and travel preparing for that case but now it conflicts with their campaigning? (Confirmed from records posted and passed on past agendas) What kind of dedication is that after you swore an oath to up hold the office? That's both of them! Maria sucks up and kisses Mandito's butt, that's why she has not had to leave the office as is the rule in the DA office by Mandito. You can bet that she is campaigning while on county time. You can bet that she is never in the office at times. (Her timesheet and leave requests need to be checked) ASk anyone in the office and they will tell you that she is never there. Don't ask the office manager or Sam Smith, you will get lied to! As far as deals, sure! That's how you build up campaign donations. Mandito has done that for some time, no secret. Why do you think Limas investigation came around or the Cocaine guy that got screwed by Limas and the DA office? That still might be a problem for Mandito in the future? Also, remember the Port of Brownsville fiasco? I bet those guys will be dropping money on Maria and Mandito? The only one that appears to be doing their job in the office is Mattingly and the few who have dedicated themselves to do their job. Maria has already taken money from suspicious characters within the county? Maria for DA, don't think so!
What about Luis Saenz? Can you write an article about his bid for DA?
When you mention Limas....please do not forget to mention the likes of dirty lawyers, such as zyas and hermandez, mike saldana, rick navarro, neito gamez,gilbert hinojosa ray marchan, david oliveria and a few others that could be arrestted any day...as a second year lawyer I am embarresed to practice law in this county.
Hey embarresed, you have about six punctuation/spelling errors in a simple post. How many errors do you make in a legal document? I am embarrassed that you are allowed to practice law in my beloved Cameron County. Although, there is truth to your statements.
Hey, second year lawyer, get the hell out of this county.
"As a second year lawyer"
Please learn how to spell before you graduate.....Please!!
As a second year lawyer you can't spell. Let me guess. You take court appointments and you graduated from Thurgood Marshall School of Law. If you are embarrassed to practice in Cameron County then get the fk. out Maricon.
As a second year lawyer you can't spell. Let me guess. You take court appointments and you graduated from Thurgood Marshall School of Law. If you are embarrassed to practice in Cameron County then get the fk. out Maricon.
If civil lawyers dont support DA candidates why is Alex Begum going out of his way to support Maria De Ford? Because Villalobos and Judge Alejandro are making calls on her behalf.
For your information, Maria was born in Cameron County in Los Indios, graduated from San Benito High School with top honors. Being from a poor family, she joined the Army and served in Iraq. She got an Honorable Discharge. She went to school and became a registered nurse. She joined the Navy. After attaining the rank of captain and being honorably discharged from the Navy, she attended law school and finished in the top of her class. She worked for the district attorney's office in Houston, and now she is first chair of the Cameron County District Attorney's office. She does not need to kiss anybody's butt with a resume like this. We should be proud to have a two-time veteran, registered nurse, and lawyer running for DA.
Begum is supporting Maria because her campaign is supporting his mother's campaign. He believes that he can tap the women vote to get his mother elected. Why does his mother want to run for JP? So that Alex can have first pick of the auto death cases that she as JP can refer to her son. It is all connected you see.
I commend Maria for her resume and congratulate her on making something out of life. But, my question is? With someone who has such credentials, why does she need to be a backstabber, liar and two face? Ask anyone in the DA office and they will tell you the same thing. She came in working and when she got comfortable with Mandito (?) she forgot where she came from? Don't let her fork tongue fool you. She will tell you what you want to her and get what she wants and then forgets you! She learned that from Mandito. He was good at that, let you hear what you want then forget you after he got what he wanted. Oh another thing, Limas also had an impressive resume? Look what happen to him. No to Maria as DA!!!
Served in Iraq? When? This post is so stupid and ridiculous...Aghhhh I want to throw up..
Hey throw up where did you serve your time C.C. Jail
No, not in C.C. jail, but appears that that's where you did yours!!!Hu...
To the anony who answered Oct 12, @5:28am
If you are so fond of her, why don't you answer in detail to the post of Oct 8, @ 9:59 am?? Because I don't think you can....
To the Oct 12, @ 5:28am, since you like her so much, can you please answer in detail to the post written @ 9:59 am?
Maria, did you make sure that you got the TX Ranger vote? You were pretty close to them when you were separated, remember? They tell me that you are well known throughout the State?
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