(On January 2015, we ran this post alerting the Cameron County District Attorney's Office to a report from one of our three readers on eight-liner (maquinita) salons openly operating in Brownsville. Nothing was done then until just a little over four months before the Democratic primary where incumbent DA Luis. V. Saenz is running for reelection. We reprint his post to ask readers whether the riming of this bust benefits the community or Saenz's political aspirations. "Our coverage of the sale of 500 eight-liner games to a Georgia-based gaming company by the Cameron County DA's Office struck a never among our three readers. Below is a sample of the responses. The photo above is said to depict an eight-liner arcade on North San Marcelo which is said to use a church gathering as a cover for their operation. The rumors abounded at the time that some local cops may have been operating the San Marcelo salon. The last posted comment refers to the staff meeting where D.A. Luis Saenz instructed his staff to keep mum about the goings on in that office.")
Anonymous said..."Yes the gamerooms r still around only those who contributed to Saenz campaign. Look in Olmito. San Marcelo. What about San Rafael lounge? Look behind that one too!!! Or are they exempt?
"There is a reason Attorney Hodge says he needs to research a topic before advising, so he can avoid feeling as I do now, like a smacked ass."
Said another:
"After doing some research, DA Saenz can use the money his office receives from forfeitures any we he sees fit, according to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, and does not have to turn it over to the county.
owever, Chapter 59, Article 59.06, titled DISPOSITION OF FORFEITED PROPERTY, states “(a) Except as provided by Subsection (k), all forfeited property shall be administered by the attorney representing the state, acting as the agent of the state, in accordance with accepted accounting practices and with the provisions of any local agreement entered into between the attorney representing the state and law enforcement agencies. "