Posted on 01/07/2008 10:04:16 PM PST by Paleo Conservative
Days after investigators from the Texas Attorney General raided his office with a search warrant hinting at illegal drug connections, Mauricio Celis issued a statement denying he has any involvement with the narcotics trade.
“Let me be crystal clear: There is not, has never been, and never will be a dime of drug money in my pocket, in any of my bank accounts, or in my life,” the law firm operator’s statement reads.
Investigators raided the offices of CGT Law Group International on Friday, removing computers and financial documents related to several businesses connected to Celis in what has turned into a money-laundering investigation.
An affidavit used to obtain the search warrant states that Celis shared a bank account with Raul Armando Winder, a Mexican citizen and former police officer who, according to the affidavit, has been employed as a pilot by individuals linked to narcotic trafficking. The account was for a business called Pegasus Air Services, which Celis owned from 2002-05, according to the Texas Secretary of State.
The affidavit also stated that Celis withdrew more than $7 million from Nueces County banks shortly before traveling to Mexico between 2000 and 2007.
Celis, in his statement, is adamant that he has no connection to narcotics trafficking.
“There is no gray area, no argument about the facts or the law. The insinuation that I have anything to do with the drug trade is a revolting lie that dishonors the office of the Attorney General” he stated.
On Friday, in response to the raid, Celis’ attorney Tony Canales accused the attorney general of political meddling. Celis’ statement reiterated that accusation.
“This is nothing more than politics run amok,” Celis said, “all because the Attorney General is a Republican and I am a prominent Hispanic Democrat.”
The Attorney General’s Office said Friday it was asked to join the Nueces County investigation.
Celis, 36, was indicted in November by a Nueces County grand jury on charges of impersonating a lawyer and a police officer, perjury and theft. Celis has been a prominent Democratic donor. Some politicians returned his donations after he came under investigation.
Throughout the ordeal, he has not granted interviews. He issued a statement Monday, he said, for the sake of his family.
“All I ask is that I be allowed to have my day in court and for the politicians who hold elected office to be held accountable for any false accusations,” Celis said “I remain steadfast in my faith in our justice system, and I’m looking forward to my day in court.’
Well what did anyone with a brain expect him to say? Of course he denied laundering drug money for the Mexican Mafia. In my opinion he’s very unlikely to be innocent, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.
FOLLOW THE MONEY!!
Well some of it went to Hillary. Looks like it got wasted.
He donated quite a bit to some local state representative candidates in 2006. He was rated #51 in Texas for contributions in 2004.
Politicians give accused donor's cash to charity (Not really, just unspent funds)
Corpus Christi Caller-Times ^ | Sunday, October 28, 2007 | Dan Kelley
Posted on 10/30/2007 9:07:46 AM CDT by Paleo Conservative
Back in the early 1980’s, during the Iran/Contra controversy, it became knowledge that on return flights from Nicaragua the cargo whas cocaine. After the plane landed in Mena, Arkansas, the cocaine was split up and went in various directions. One special portion was kept by the then Governor of Arkansas, William Jefferson Clinton. A large portion went to Texas.
Who received that portion that went to Texas?
That is what I meant when I said, “FOLLOW THE MONEY”. Powerful and politically connected people are benefitting from Mexican drug trafficking. Is that why certain Texas politicians are blocking the construction of the border fence, using the politics of hispanic ethnicism as a cover?
“Is that why certain Texas politicians are blocking the construction of the border fence, using the politics of hispanic ethnicism as a cover?”
At least this would be a logical reason for their actions. If we knew for sure, it would answer a lot of questions.
Follow the money.
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