By Juan Montoya
You see them on their campaign sings.
"Respect Restored" and "No one is above the law."
Those belong to the campaigns of, respectively, Cameron County District Attorney Luis V. Saenz and Victor Cortez, candidate for Cameron County Sheriff in the Republican Party primary.
Saenz is referring, of course, to his predecessor Armando Villaobos now serving a seven-year sentence in federal prison for his conviction on racketeering and bribery charges. The most egregious of these crimes was his acquiescence in Abel Limas' court (also doing federal time) to give convicted murderer Amit Livingston a 60-day furlough before he began serving his 23-year sentence in the state pen.
Cortez, a former Drug Enforcement Administration agent, on the other hand, was Saenz's chief of the DA's Office Public Integrity Unit whose mission was to ferret out malfeasance by public officials.
What Saenz doesn't point out is that he was one of Villalobos' favorites when it came to special prosecutor assignments. We have heard that the money amount that Saenz got as a result of Villalobos largess at public expense totals into the $1000,000s. We have a public info request to get that info and will tell you specifically how much Saenz received in cold, hard, cash for his services to Mando.
If we are to believe that Cortez, who has been present at almost every Saenz campaign function (including the Return of Livingston production at the Harlingen airport), believes that no one, but no one, is above the law, we wonder what the duo talks about nowadays.
Well, Cortez might want to whisper in the ear of his former boss and political benefactor Saenz that the proof to indict and prosecute Cameron County Judge Pete Sepulveda is easily obtained by watching the video of the judge's discussion in favor of the Transportation Reinvestment Zones during a commissioners court meeting. He abstained from voting on the consideration of setting up the process to consider establishing the zones. As far as we know (unless there is a back-dated one) there was no affidavit from Sepulveda informing the court of a conflict of interest in the matter.
In a later meeting, when the TRZs were discussed in a public hearing, Sepulveda wisely left the room and did not participate in the discussion as he had in the previous meeting or the vote that followed.
And rightly so, since Sepulveda is the CEO of the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority and will benefit directly in salary ($230,000) and an increased budget for his organization. In fact, he should have not even entered the discussion, much less staunchly support the establishment of the TRZs.
In this case, it appears that Sepulveda, indeed, is above the law. Anyway, the law as Saenz interprets it.
Why do we say that?
Saenz spent four years as a special prosecutor (and later as DA) prosecuting former Harlingen commissioner Kori Marra for discussing the re-implementation of a city program that provided security and support of the downtown business district where she had her real estate office. She never voted on the matter either.
In the end, an appeals court threw out her conviction for not filing an affidavit and gave her a clear slate, but not before Saenz ruined her business, her personal finances were destroyed, and her political career was in the sewer.
Yet. we don't see Saenz presenting that evidence against Sepulveda to a grand jury or hounding the county judge for this seemingly innocent indiscretion.
Some may cry selective prosecution and favoritism at the lack of enthusiasm Saenz has shown in these seemingly identical violations of the public trust. Is this any way to restore respect for the DA's Office?
And has his political protege Cortez pointed out this seeming disparity in the application of the law? After all, his logo is "No one is above the law," isn't it?
25 comments:
Attention Mr. Saenz, your office had better change things up a bit or you will be back in the private sector. There are too many secrets within the office of Mr. Saenz and he does not seem to either be bothered by them or is allowing it? Employees are discontent and wonder if he can now pull off his re-election? After putting Edward Sandoval as his number 2? Of course it did upset some of the veteran prosecutors at the time but they were not the administrative type. Being number 2 has its privileges like putting your admirer or girlfriend in a position where experience is needed? Why wasn't an experienced paralegal placed in that position or even considered?
The other thing is that Mr. Saenz or someone from his administration recently terminated a strong supporter of his campaign and employees had to find out from the gossip among themselves. So that position became open only to be filled by the love of Edward's heart. Mr. Saenz, people are talking and defense attorneys are not happy with the service or consideration of cases by your office. Justice can still be applied in order to get rid of cases, current and old ones. You may have my vote right now only because I believe that Carlos Masso being elected is only getting another Armando Villalobos way of working in that office? Only time will tell Mr. Saenz? Do you want to retire an elected DA or have to retire because you let the office do what it wants?
Both Saenz and Masso are part of the Dumbokratic Party of Cameron County and "corruption" is part of that culture. The Cameron County judiciary is filled with those who will quickly shut their eyes to curruption within and its members...mostly lawyers (who find being on the public teat easier than chasing ambulances. Saenz, as DA previously proved to be a "womanizer" and abused women. In his present tenure as DA, he has used a PR person to keep his name in the public eye, even if he did or does nothing. Suddenly, this "womanizer" is an advocate against domestic abuse....again, putting his name on everything...even bumper stickers for county vehicles. On the other hand we have Masso....totally incompetent as a lawyer and who is eager to bite into the public teat. Both men can't be trusted. So our choices "Corrupt or Corrupter/Dumb or Dumber".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dly6p4Fu5TE
Yeah thats why he gives himself a pat on his own back saying, on his campaign signs "DOING A GREAT JOB" for those people, he turns a blind eye on and "RESPECT RESTORED" at his own convenience!
It's so sad for Mr. Saenz administration and so sad how he has handle it. We are a group of elderly ladies who get together to play cards every Wednesday at 6pm..We talk about our community and whether our leaders are doing whats best for us, and we have come to the conclusion that unfortunately our DA must not serve another Xmas Day after 2015..Our group, and it's many, with family and all, are only and we have strongly decided to support Mr. Noe Robles..What a fine gentleman, so humble. Happy Thanksgiving to all..
Luis likes to ride and bet on horses but knows nothing about them. Our group is a humble group, a horse group, horses are our life not his. He wants to belong but, we have never understood him. He is a little weird and doesn't fit with us..Would we trust him..NO, why would you. That's all our humble group has to say. Have a horse holiday for Thanksgiving and Xmas. Blessings
I will not be voting for these two Rats.
Not for nothing but I think you are being too fast to pass judgment on Masso. I am by no way trying to change your vote that is for you to decide. Mind you this is coming from someone who made the mistake of voting for Saenz. This administration committed a great injustice to a close friend. To say that he prosecutes selectively is an understatement. Now if the worst reason for not voting for Masso is because of the assumption that he will make the mistakes that Villalobos did; well that seems to be way judgmental and very unfair. Saenz will not only have to answer to the electorate for the injustices but scarier, he will have to answer to the man upstairs!
why not focus on the good his staff and this leader has done ... do you think Masso will do better ? he will be another disgrace to this community another Villalobos or Conrado Cantu ...please let this man do his JOB !!
I really wide you were more clear on the shuffle that occurred in the DA'S office... quit being so cryptic. .. who got fired , who supported opposition, who did edward put in what position?
What "RESPECT " did DA Luis Saenz have for the families of the victim that was ran over and left for dead by his own Nephews and then, releasing them with a slap on the hand and now picking up another 2nd D.W.I due to "DOING A GREAT JOB" to those, that "RESPECT HIM FOR BEING ABOVE THE LAW"
Remember Mr Saenz "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you and even more"
walk in his shoes before you JUDGE...
Bloggers, I forgot to post that the female that got fired also threw a party for Mr. Saenz prior to his election into office to ensure that she had a job. The female who got her position and the love of Edward Sandoval is Sylvia, a misdemeanor clerk with less than two years of experience. The position is a bit more demanding and possibly more money and very confidential to ensure security.
Que punetas los 2, quiten esa foto....que ridiculos se ven! Pinches viejos pedorros no sirven para nada.
Better Masso, then having a DA that is so open in supporting Cortez. Mr. Cortez will become like Alex Perez and Luis Saenz will just turn his face away while they both make money. Say no to corruption and that corruption starts with Luis and Victor Cortez. I will be voting Republican and my vote is firm, I will be voting for John Chambers for Sheriff....
How funny they both are starting to look alike.
Ahhh... I got cha... and am following 10-4. Lol
Say what you want you pathetic non voters !! Luis Saenz has and is doing an outstanding job quit hating and move on !!!
Ya ! My uncle Luis is keeping me out of jail so stop hating on him . I'm tired of all the non voters talking shit about him . I'm going to keep on drinking and driving so fuck off !
V . Garcia
Par de mierdas!!!
If you were going to vote, vote for the one who you really believe will do the job. Luis Saenz and his office is doing the job that was left undone or needed to be corrected from the Armando Villalobos administration. Saenz' office might be pissing defense attorneys but its making them work. No one has a free ride or walk like Rick Canales, Noe Garza, Dan Sanchez, Rene Oliviera, Michael Trejo and backstabbing Barney the Dragon walking, Oscar De La Fuente. Sure, Saenz has incompetent prosecutors with little or no experience like Gus Garza, who has just been lucky by ignorant jurors and being leashed by his County Auditor wife who pays county salaries.
But to vote for Carlos masso, you get people like Abel Gomez, fat lard ass convicted felon Erasmo Castro and his family along with Masso' felony convicted family members. Masso will work the office like Armando Villalobos but has enough sense (hope so) not to take money for case favors?
But if you don't vote, then you give up that right to complain later. So vote for the guy you think will do the job and not popularity.
What a freakin loser....he hasn't done shit! Never has never will...we're getting his ass out of office!!!
OMG LUIS V SAENZ isent fixing shit he is only "DOING A GREAT JOB" on those cases like his own family in change, to support his gambling habits at the horse race tracks, so excuse me he isn't "RESTORING RESPECT " from past administration, he is just fallowing the same steps from the pros because he thinks he is "ABOVE THE LAW"
King Louis thinks he is the next Napaloen. His demise is at hand. He uses his position to violate the law and do favors for Peter Gilmans step daughter and his own family members and he attacks anyone who exercises their CONSTITUTIONAL right to free speech.
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