Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Refugio County commissioner indicted on voter fraud charges[Texas Democrat]
Victoria Advocate ^ | February 15, 2007

Posted on 02/15/2007 3:57:51 PM PST by SwinneySwitch

REFUGIO - A Refugio County grand jury Thursday indicted Precinct 4 Commissioner Raymond Villarreal on three charges of tampering with a government document, a state jail felony, and four counts of illegal voting, a third-degree felony, stemming from the March Democratic Primary, said District Attorney Mike Sheppard.

Villarreal received 293 votes in the election to unseat the incumbent, John Reyna, who received 272 votes.

The charges allege illegal preparation and voting by mail-in ballots, the district attorney said


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: corruption; democrats; elections; refugio; repsestak; senatorwebb; texasdemocrat
Even dead 'rats can mail in a ballot!
1 posted on 02/15/2007 3:57:53 PM PST by SwinneySwitch
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: SwinneySwitch

Democrat Crime Syndicate Member MO BUMP!


2 posted on 02/15/2007 4:00:00 PM PST by PGalt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: backhoe

Voter fraud ping.


3 posted on 02/15/2007 4:07:28 PM PST by Jet Jaguar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SwinneySwitch

South Texas politics ---- some things never change.


4 posted on 02/15/2007 4:19:58 PM PST by WTSand
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mickie; digerati; Robert Drobot; angelsonmyside; GOPPachyderm; Issaquahking; thegreatbeast; ...

'Rat Ping!

If you want on, or off this South Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.


5 posted on 02/15/2007 4:52:52 PM PST by SwinneySwitch (Mexas- beyond your expectations!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: SwinneySwitch
What is the name of the Hispanic equivalent of ACORN? They seem to be everywhere and they always work for the Democrats. The Dems use them to do their dirty work then abandon them.
6 posted on 02/15/2007 6:32:18 PM PST by Saltmeat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WTSand

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


7 posted on 02/15/2007 6:34:02 PM PST by lonestar (Me, too--Weinie)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: lonestar
Remember that old joke back when LBJ first got elected to the Senate?

Juan saw Pancho sitting on the street crying.
Juan:What's the matter Pancho?
Pancho: My grandpa came back from the grave to vote for LBJ and didn't stop by to see me!

8 posted on 02/15/2007 8:17:16 PM PST by WTSand
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: SwinneySwitch

So....does he still get to be a Commisioner?


9 posted on 02/15/2007 8:30:35 PM PST by CindyDawg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Saltmeat

They're called politigueras. Attorney General Abbott was asked to investigate in 12 Texas counties over complaints about politiqueras and mail-in ballots in the 2006 democrat primary.


10 posted on 02/16/2007 7:21:10 AM PST by SwinneySwitch (Mexas- beyond your expectations!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: CindyDawg

Don't know, Cindy. Stay tuned for the latest.


11 posted on 02/16/2007 7:32:20 AM PST by SwinneySwitch (Mexas- beyond your expectations!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: SwinneySwitch

South Texas....hmmm....this is where LBJ cheated his way into that Texas senate seat [not the same county but So. Texas].


12 posted on 02/16/2007 7:36:11 AM PST by shield (A wise man's heart is at his RIGHT hand; but a fool's heart at his LEFT. Ecc 10:2)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CindyDawg; All

"So....does he still get to be a Commisioner?"

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA021707.01A.vote_charges.127c8c1.html

County officials said Villarreal would continue to earn his $34,957 annual salary unless he's convicted on the felony charges. He then could be removed from office.

Sheppard said the voter fraud investigation began in August after the Sheriff's Department received a complaint alleging irregularities with mail-in ballots used in the March 7 Democratic primary.

Villarreal challenged incumbent John Reyna for the Precinct 4 commissioner's seat and won, 293 to 272 — a difference of 21 votes.

"Essentially the scheme was that the candidate would get mail-in ballots for people he didn't even think were going to vote," Sheppard said, adding Villarreal fraudulently applied for mail-in ballots, filled them out and returned them to be counted.

The district attorney said investigators found more than 20 questionable ballots.

"This may very well have been a scheme that ultimately resulted in him winning this office," Sheppard said.

Refugio County Judge Rene Mascorro said he briefly spoke with Villarreal before the arrest and said the commissioner didn't say anything about the allegations or his status as an elected official.

"Of course, the commissioners court will conduct its business as usual until the outcome of this case," Mascorro said. "Right now he remains a commissioner."

Rachel Garcia, the elections administrator for Refugio County, said Villarreal was elected in the November general election after defeating a write-in candidate.

The sheriff said no irregularities were reported in the November election.


13 posted on 02/19/2007 1:06:26 PM PST by SwinneySwitch (Demonrats- beyond your expectations!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson