SAENZ CHALLENGES VALLEY MAN CAUGHT IN CAMPAIGN CORRUPTION SCANDAL TO SAY WHAT HE KNEW AND WHEN HE KNEW IT

(EDINBURG) — Democratic House challenger Eddie Saenz today called on a high-profile Rio Grande Valley man implicated in the growing corruption scandal surrounding Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick and his illicit campaign contribution to Aaron Pena and other lawmakers to explain publicly what he knew about the donation and when.

“This scandal is shaping up to be one of the biggest political memory, and anyone involved should either clear his name or apologize to South Texas voters,” Saenz said.

The controversy erupted earlier this week when criminal charges were filed against Craddick for a $50,000 campaign gift to Pena from a political action committee whose board of directors includes Mike Allen of Mission, a South Texas College trustee.

Pena pocketed $50,000 from Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick’s political action committee, a tainted donation that violated state statutes prohibiting speaker candidates from trying to buy their election with what is known as “legislative bribery,” according to the complaint, filed on Monday with the Travis County District Attorney by the election watchdog group Texans for Public Justice.

The criminal complaint indicates Pena and two other state lawmakers “violated Texas Government Code Chapter 302 and Texas Election Code Chapter 253″ and asks the district attorney “to investigate these apparent violations and, if evidence warrants, to prosecute the offending parties.”

As a board member of the embattled political action committee, Allen could find himself in legal jeopardy.

Saenz last week called on Pena to return the campaign cash, noting that other contributors to the Republican Speaker’s political action committee include a Houston homebuilder who has given at least $50,000 to George W. Bush and Dick Cheney and funded the 2004 Swift Boat for Veterans smear campaign against Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry. Pena refused, hinting that he will use the Republican cash to level even more negative attacks on Saenz, according the press reports.

Saenz is chairman of South Texas Health Systems and is a vocal advocate for a veteran’s hospital in Hidalgo County.

Saenz is backed by mayors and community leaders throughout the district who are eager for a full partner in their efforts to create jobs, expand access to quality health care, improve public schools, make college affordable again for middle-class families, and improve vital public services.
Owner and chief executive officer of one of South Texas’ leading civil engineering firms, Saenz is a recognized expert in helping cities, school districts, and other public entities improve their operations and basic services.

Saenz is a former chairman of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, the Texas Border Infrastructure Coalition Transportation Committee, and the Edinburg 2020 Action Committee. A graduate of McAllen High, he earned his degree in civil engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1982. He is a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Texas Society of Professional Engineers. He and his wife and child live in Edinburg.

The Democratic primary is scheduled for March 4. Early voting begins next Tuesday, February 19.