By JERRY DEALMyLeaderNews
Here is how it really is.
Cameron County Emergency Management Coordinator Humberto Barrera and inspectors from the fire marshal’s office recently pulled off what other county and local law enforcement officers have not been able to permanently do, or really not tried to do — close down the 8-line operations that have infiltrated the county in the past few years — most of them, if not all, operating illegally.
Barrera and the county fire marshal’s office closed down a number of the 8-line operations due to building and fire code violations.
Question: What took you so long, some of these operators have been in business in ramsackled structures for months, some years — including faulty or unsanitary restroom facilities?
Although Barrera says it has nothing to do with illegal gambling, do not believe it. Will it work?
Only for a time, then many of these operations will be brought up to legal standards because there are big bucks behind them.
There are so many sides to all this, it is hard to find a beginning.
Even before that, however, I will say I am not opposed to gambling, but want legal gambling where the participants do not get ripped off — like what is happening now.
Let’s start by me informing you readers that organized crime and big business are behind this. They do not abide by the law because they are making big bucks by giving out cash instead of the “fuzzy bears” gifts that are legal.
One of the big 8-liners operations is Aces Wired, which sometime back paid a $1 million penalty for illegal operations of 8-liners. The owner of this company reportedly has connections with Gov. Rick Perry.
When an operation is busted, it simply moves to another location. Often the operators are fined and allowed to repurchase the confiscated gambling units.
So, who are the owners-operators of the Valley operations? Who knows and why isn’t law enforcement finding out?
Point on this: Barrera and fire marshals returned to a La Feria operation, after it had been closed, but was again operating. They found bundles of money, obviously from money taken in illegally.
Also, many operators say they do not know who their bosses and owners are, that they have never met them. They say they leave the money at a certain place when they close and it is picked up before they re-open, and that money for their work is also there for them on payday.
Am I the only one suspicious about all this?
It very likely will take a federal investigation or a federal bust to get down to all this, because the county only occasionally makes busts — which I say are only to try to show they are handling the situation. It is overdue for the IRS to step in on all these gaming operators.
They are not — that includes the sheriff’s department and the district attorney’s office. Regardless the spin they give, they have not adequately done their job.
What can be expected from the DA. He is so busy in trying to win a Demo congressional election, he can’t be bothered.
But, even before that, he could not be bothered.
Also, in his office, there is Assistant DA Carlos Masso, who may have connections to those in the 8-liner operations, and wants to be the next district attorney.
On a more local political scene, that Menchaca woman, who is seeking to unseat Justice of the Peace Sallie Gonzalez also reportedly has 8-line connections.
Gonzalez, I am told has no monetary connections to any 8-line operations, except to play them. (including one that was busted).
There also are some on the Harlingen City Commission who favor the 8-liners with some restrictions.
But restrictions elsewhere have not worked, why do our city fathers believe it would here>
So, you tell me how to get the illegal gambling stopped, except to legalize it with state control and weed those who are illegally making millions off of their illegal operations.
5 comments:
Carlos Masso represented several 8 liners during Armando Villalobos’ administration, never had any of his clients plea or get convicted and got the machines back at Armando Villalobos’ approval and authority. So, you know he made a lot of money and that’s why 8 liner operators and owners kept him on speed dial? So, for him to run for DA is very interesting? If he is making money representing these 8 liners, then why would you want to give up a “money maker” and get paid a measley salary compared to the thousands that he totals up with 8 liners? I question that because, what is he going to do once in office? Maria De Ford is another one that I question as to why she wants to be DA? I know one is for the title and power recognition. The other, don’t know? Maria De Ford took money and allowed the Menchaca 8 liner clan to contribute and throw parties for her. Armando Villalobos hired Rachel Menchaca when he first took office and knowing that her father and brother were operating “illegal” 8 liners in the county. At one point, the gossip was that Armando Villalobos told his special investigation unit to lay off on his operations? Armando Villalobos also hired a former constable, who is running for that position again and assigned him to that special unit. You ask, why bring this up? Well, this same former constable supposedly had a hand in some of the 8 liners and now is politicking on county time. I am informing county voters because Armando Villalobos wants to be Congressman, he is the same one that has been holding and leading Maria De Ford’s hand in the hopes of her being elected. Armando Villalobos wants to maintain a control in the DA office after he is gone. Those are not the kind of people that I want representing the people of Cameron County.
These 8 Line operations pay Constables and other rural police to drive on buy their establishements that look like legit businesses. Guess they forgot to pay off the Fire Marshals. I suspect they will learn from this.
El Pinche Gringo.
Luis Saenz has also represented and represents defendants on 8-liner cases. One of them is a good friend and supporter of his. He recently appeared in a photo with him at a recent event held for him. He has also dismissed and settled 8-liner cases as a special prosecutor. How come there is no comment about him? Perhaps because former baliff is a supporter of Luis Saenz!
And Juan, I don't work for Villalobos since 2008. I don't know why you keep putting that I still work for him.
Oh, and just to set the record straight, I have had some clients plead to the gambling charges! Not all have been dismissed. No need to misinform the public about this. Furthermore, I have been able to get criminal charges dismissed on other types of cases. Sometimes, bad cases get filed and indicted. One prosecutor looks at the case and thinks it's a good case and presents it to a grand jury and gets an indictment. The case is then assigned to a court and another prosecutor is now stuck with a bad case. Defense attorney comes in and presents additional facts favorable to defendant and guess what? Prosecutor agrees to lower or dismiss charges. It happens all the time not just with me but with all defense attorneys, that is if they are doing their job. The reason this is happening is because there is a lack of leadership at the DA's office.
Carlos Masso still hasn't been in office and already he is practicing how to lie and make up excuses. Typical from a crooked politician. If he was a person of integrity, he would have resigned as Port Commissioner but no he wants to still suck on the tit of the citizens. He and his buddy Escobedo still have a lot of money to be taken from the citizens like the Bridge to nowhere.
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