We posted that Ruben Cortez, a former member of the board of the BISD, had not paid the taxes due on his residence property as far back as 2016, according to a lawsuit filed December 16, 2021 in the 107th District Court.
Then as a result of the posting, we were sent the delinquent tax account of a property at South Padre Island said to belong to Cortez but being "held" by Brownsville attorney – and also a former member of the board of the Brownsville Independent School District at the time Cortez was a member – Rick Zayas.
Zayas declined to comment on the arrangement he had with his former board colleague to "hold" Cortez's property, but did say that it did not belong to him. He directed inquiries on the South Padre Island condominium to Cortez and is known to have told the delinquent tax firm Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson that Cortez was the owner.
In this case, the delinquent taxes, plus penalties, are $18,315. Add that to the $19,250 he owes on his residence and that brings the total to $37,565.
And Cameron County Appraisal District records indicate that Cortez had entered into paying arrangements for his Brownsville residence twice - once with the Tax Assessor-Collector's Office and the other with Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson - and reneged on both after a few token payments.
It's not like they are scraping for pennies, his wife and elementary principal Sandra Cortez – according to the BISD Salary Schedule – commands a handsome $100,000 (+) salary.
Cortez also filed as a candidate in the Democratic Party primary this March for the reconfigured Texas House of Representatives District 37. Two other candidates – developer Luis Villarreal and Harlingen commissioner Frank Puente – are also vying for the position.
Below is the delinquent tax bill on his Brownsville residence.
Did he really think that he would get a pas from the voters when they comply with their tax obligations and he doesn't, going as far as using Rick as a straw man to hide his ownership of this luxury condominium.
28 comments:
Check Louis Sorola's taxes, Montoya.
But you won't.
Ruben will win. He is the most experienced. The other candidates lack public speaking skills. Cortez is one of us. He understands our struggles and he is a lifelong Democrat! He is from el Barrio! If he doesn’t win, Villareal has potential and could be a good representative. Hope he gets the experience he lacks to be effective! Remember Juan, money talks and bullshit walks!
Nice to keep more money in the bank account by not paying taxes.
Meanwhile other people that don't pay and have no clout pick up the slack by losing their properties.
Cortez is just as slimy as his mom. Can’t wait for him to be in Jail!!
So what half of elected official here either don't pay taxes or their property is registered as a historical home. Run a list of who does not pay IMPUESTOS MUNICIPALES and why??
I thought cavemen live in caves?
@1:06 PM
Fuck you, asshole!
Fuck you down.
How sad, If it was any other citizen they would have taken the property like they did to my mother years ago and she only owed $800.00 . But BROWNSVILLE Politics at it's best. May God help them.
Lemme see
pay $37k
Or pay Montoya
Shudda paid Montoya, Ruben
That's what happens when don't have an education or real job your always looking for ways to sell your soul for cash, scavy ass people.
TSC dropout
Delinquent taxes. Money that goes to fund school districts
On SBOE? How embarrasing for all of us
Teacher unions like Alegria and Hammes endorsing him? How embarrassing. For the teacher unions.
Democrats are MASTER THIEVES...just ask Dementia Joe the Potato Head...they are experts at conniving good, honest folk out of their hard earned money. Hey Joe, the word is out, China gives you millions for favors from your office...IMPEACHMENT drafts are already being put together. You are done in November!
Nobody cares…
All the main office administration is full of s***
We need a new superintendent that can run run with the ball these deputies are fumbling the ball come on Eddie Garcia run with the ball a******
Ruben Cortiz did nothing for us teachers. The unions endorsed him and wonder why teachers are leaving them? Stop endorsing losers, Hammes!, I like what Villarreal has to say about education so far and he seems genuine. He has my vote at this point. Cortez is like Erasmo and Elizondo...stop running for one thing after another. Just stop.
How is this fair play for the tax payers! The county looks the other way WTF!
TEACHER UNIONS ENDORSING CORTEZ BECAUSE "HE KNOWS ABOUT EDUCATION"
ALEGRIA AND HAMMES (AND BORREGO?) ARE USED TO ENDORSING THIS GUY. PURA PUS.
TEACHERS, YOU COULD RULE POLITICS IN BROWNSVILLE BUT YOU CHOOSE TO NOT CARE AND CHOOSE TO DO AS ALEGRIA, HAMMES (AND BORREGO) SAY.
MAS TRISTE.
Make it illegal for people with delinquent taxes Not to run for an elected office or work for the county or cob...
Ruben Cortez and Sandy Cortez are an embarrassment for Brownsville! They both need to resign immediately. How can they be trusted with any leadership positions when they cheat on their taxes? What else do they cheat on? And how can the teacher unions endorse Ruben Cortez, a tax cheater? We need to get the word out to friends and family from Harlingen, San Benito, La Feria, and Port Isabel, about Ruben Cortez and his failure in paying over 30,000 dollars in taxes! Do NOT vote for Ruben Cortez, he doesn't pay his taxes!!
Ruben and Sandy Cortez are stealing from the citizens of Cameron County by not paying the 37,000 dollars they owe in delinquent taxes. They have no shame! Totally corrupt! Ruben Cortez, Mr. GED, has the nerve to run for State Representative. Do NOT vote for Ruben Cortez. He has no honor or integrity and is stealing from the taxpayers of Cameron County! Pay your taxes, Ruben and Sandy Cortez!!
Donate the whore house to the homeless organization do something right for a change. They need more space DO IT!
Ruben, get your "Naca" JP mother to pay for your back taxes! She makes enough money marrying people!
1:33pm. Caveman
He meant no harm. He was trying to say go live in a cave, caveman. Since, you do not want to pay taxes.
The majority of teachers are stupid, so that's who they elect, to represent them.
All they do is think about the 3 months off with pay, ooooooh its in the contract - bola de vendidos/as mamones...
I disagree with local teacher's unions endorsing this man. This teacher will not vote for this embarrassment of a man and shame on these unions for not researching who they endorse. Cortez, Man up and pay your taxes, this property owning single woman pays hers every year. I do not own more than I can afford and I don't get in line for grant money like some well to do people in Brownsville do. We have such a vicious trend in our city.
February 7, 2022 at 8:49 PM
Scratch my back is how politicians operate here. UNFORTUNATELY voting is the only way to rid these bandidos who eagerly seek their Holy Grail.
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