Guadalupe Escamilla, Vote-Buying, Texas 2014

McALLEN, Texas - A shocking case of vote-buying has rocked the Donna school board election, with a campaign worker pleading guilty to paying voters to cast their ballots in the November 2012 election.

Guadalupe Escamilla, 72, of Weslaco, pleaded guilty to one count of vote-buying before Chief U.S. District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa. She faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The plea hearing revealed that Escamilla knowingly and willfully paid and offered to pay voters for voting in the election. Moreover, she admitted that at least two candidates gave her money to pay voters for voting in the election.

This case is not an isolated incident, as two other campaign workers, Rebecca Gonzalez, 44, and Diana Balderas Castaneda, 48, of Donna, have pleaded guilty to the same charge. They are awaiting sentencing.

The investigation was carried out by the FBI, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Leo J. Leo and Trial Attorneys Monique Abrishami and Jennifer Blackwell of the Public Integrity Section prosecuting the case.

Escamilla's guilty plea is a significant blow to the Donna school board election, which was marred by allegations of vote-buying. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of fair and honest elections.

The sentencing for Escamilla is set for August 29, 2014. The outcome of the case will be closely watched, as it will determine the extent of the punishment for her role in the vote-buying scandal.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/campaign-worker-pleads-guilty-buying-votes-donna-school-board-election-0