A disturbing case of vote-buying has come to light in Donna, Texas, where a campaign worker paid voters to cast their ballots in a local school board election.
Diana Balderas Castaneda, 48, of Donna, pleaded guilty to one count of vote-buying before U.S. District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa in the Southern District of Texas.
According to a factual statement read during the plea hearing, a general election was held on Nov. 6, 2012, in Donna for the presidential election, as well as various state, county, and local offices, including the Donna School Board.
Castaneda assisted in the campaign to elect four candidates to the Donna School Board. In the course of that work, she knowingly and willfully paid and offered to pay voters for voting in this election.
Additionally, at least two campaign managers paid voters in her presence.
Another campaign worker, Rebecca Gonzalez, 44, also of Donna, pleaded guilty to the same charge before U.S. District Judge Randy Crane in the Southern District of Texas on Feb. 14, 2014.
This case was investigated by the FBI, and Trial Attorneys Monique Abrishami and Jennifer Blackwell of the Public Integrity Section, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Leo J. Leo, are prosecuting the case.
Castaneda is scheduled for sentencing on July 25, 2014.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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