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Diana Balderas Castaneda, 48, and Two Others Indicted for Vote-Buying in Donna, Texas
In a shocking turn of events, three campaign workers have been charged with buying votes in the Donna, Texas school board election. Diana Balderas Castaneda, 48, Guadalupe Zapata Escamilla, 72, and Rebecca Gonzalez, 44, are accused of knowingly and willfully paying and offering to pay voters for voting in the election.
According to the indictments, a general election was held in Donna on November 6, 2012, which included candidates for the presidential election, as well as for various state, county, and local offices, including the Donna School Board. The three defendants are alleged to have assisted in the campaign to elect the Democratic candidates to the Donna School Board.
The three women face a maximum penalty of five years in prison upon conviction. An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The case was investigated by the FBI, with Trial Attorneys Monique Abrishami and Jennifer Blackwell of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leo J. Leo of the Southern District of Texas prosecuting the case.
The indictments charge the three defendants with one count each of vote-buying. They allegedly paid voters for voting in the election, which is a serious offense in the state of Texas.
The Donna community is in shock over the allegations, with many residents expressing outrage and disappointment over the alleged vote-buying scheme. The incident highlights the importance of fair and honest elections in our democratic system.
Defendant:
Diana Balderas Castaneda, 48
Criminal Charges:
One count of vote-buying
City and State:
Donna, Texas
Exact Date:
November 6, 2012
Sentence or Outcome:
Maximum penalty of five years in prison upon conviction
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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