Local leaders speak out about past campaign contributions
By
KGNS News
Story Created:
Feb 23, 2012 at 12:13 AM CDT
Story Updated:
Feb 23, 2012
A raid resulting in the arrest of man, now accused of money laundering is said to be the middleman linking the Zeta Cartel and former Governor of Tamaulipas Tomas Yarrington.
There are also reports that the man had connections to Governor Rick Perry and then-Governor George W. Bush, as well as contributions made to a local congressman and sheriff.
Details in the San Antonio Express news article reveal 56-year-old Antonio Pena Arguelles arrested earlier this month is facing serious accusations including being tied to Mexican politicians, including the Mexican governor Yarrington and Zeta drug cartel members.
Other details are also being revealed as well.
Pena-Arguelles gave $1,500 to Martin Cuellar’s election campaign in 2007 and in 2006 Antonio Pena’s then-wife gave $1,000 to the re-election effort of Henry Cuellar.
Congressman Cuellar made it clear that when he learned where the money came from last year, he donated it to charity and said it's impossible to keep track of where campaign money is coming from.
We talked to congressman Henry Cuellar earlier today who referred us to his campaign Consultant Colin Strother for more questions about the contribution.
As for his contribution from the same source Sheriff Martin Cuellar issued a statement.
It says: "As soon as we were made aware that there was an issue, I immediately returned the check. We wanted to do the right thing. Had I known who the contributor was I would have not accepted it."
There are other local politicians who also received campaign contributions from Pena-Arguelles as well. One of those is former District Attorney Joe Rubio $1,000.
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Texas Justice said on Monday, Feb 27 at 3:22 PM
Well, Laredo, if you would quit voting for these people, then maybe things would clear up. Joe Rubio had assistants who took bribes, and he got contributions from a cartel boss. Surprised? The Cuellar family thinks they own Laredo, and, it would appear, they do. Instead of complaining, stand up like men and women with guts and tar and feather these people. The stench of corruption pervades this town like a leaky sewer, but everyone lines up for the crumbs that the corrupt politicians will brush off their well lardered tables. If you can't do better than this, you won't get better than this.
82406653! said on Sunday, Feb 26 at 8:40 AM
Yea, they are called the Cuellar embesiles, named after all of the voters in Webb Co.
82297622M.C. said on Saturday, Feb 25 at 5:50 PM
Me thinks mmmmmmm was being sarcastic.
82268523keep up compa said on Saturday, Feb 25 at 4:41 AM
Where have you been? UISD already has a school for Cuellar.
82229363Mmmmmm said on Saturday, Feb 25 at 1:53 AM
Cuellars = Martins keep them in office .!!! One day we might even have a school under his name .....
82225262Can believe we fall for it said on Saturday, Feb 25 at 12:06 AM
Kgns did not quote the San Antonio paper correctly as we know they get their news from the newspaper and omitting what they think will make news. Shame on you TIM And Ann you call yourself journalist what is your stations agenda. Q
82221404@blogger said on Friday, Feb 24 at 2:05 PM
Touchy subject, make it go away. In two days the natives will forget about it. Pro 8 is on the Cuellar-Kennedy payroll donchaknow.
82172551blogger said on Friday, Feb 24 at 12:37 PM
WHY NO BLOG ON THE JUDGES SON THAT WAS ARRESTED AND ONLY A $750 DOLLAR BOND???
82161563Anonymous said on Thursday, Feb 23 at 3:58 PM
They only returned it when it was exposed, they said it themselves. Now there you go.
82052382etrade baby said on Thursday, Feb 23 at 2:37 PM
Hold on let me show you my "shocked" face
82045164lol said on Thursday, Feb 23 at 10:48 AM
laredo and soon texas will be known as little mexico lol, all those lives lost at the alamo, just for mexico to slowly take it back....
82018802for a long time said on Thursday, Feb 23 at 9:53 AM
The Cuellar's excuses are BS. This guy Pena has long been connected to cartels and it was common knowledge. Que los Cuellar no se hagan los inocentes.
82012691Roe said on Thursday, Feb 23 at 8:51 AM
The Cuellar's are starting to look like the Kennedy family....full of trouble makers.
82007073! said on Thursday, Feb 23 at 12:54 AM
This is something pro late dudes should have reported. Why do we always hear about Laredo corruption in the San Antonio paper. How many other shady contributions did the Cuellar Kennedys receive. Looks like they already have their Teddy Kennedy and that would be Rosie Cuellar's son.
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