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Ha Ou Stun – Three people were indicted Friday in connection with what Texas described as two failed schemes aimed at influencing the outcome of the House of Representatives race.
The two House districts affected were 132 and 142.
Here’s what we know about everyone who has been charged.
Former candidate Richard Bonton
The KPRC 2 investigation has found that former candidate for state representative, Richard Bonton, has been charged by the Harris County Grand Jury with a number of charges, including election fraud.
Bonton, 37, was a candidate in the March 2020 Democratic primary for State House District 142.
Bonton, along with two other candidates, have been in power since 1984. Harold was in a fight against Dutton.
Bonton has been charged with tampering with government records, tampering with government records and election fraud, according to allegations obtained by KPRC2 investigators. The most serious charge is tampering with government records, which is a crime.
In a December 3 KPRC2 report, a “ghost candidate” named Natasha Ruiz appeared nowhere on the ballot to get 20% of the vote. Questions about whether Ruiz is a real person are among the concerns raised after election day.
Seventeen elected Democrats called for an investigation in March. Last week, Dutton told KPRC2, “We as elected officials must protect the integrity of the electoral process.”
Natasha Deming
Prosecutors accused Natasha Deming of conspiring with Bonton to file a ballot application using the false name of Natasha Ruiz in the House District 142 Democratic primary. Deming has been charged with two counts, including tampering with government records, electoral fraud and conspiracy to tamper with government records. If convicted, he could face up to a year in prison for each charge.
Damien Jones
The then state rap on Damien Jones. Gina Kalni, who threatened to push him into the 132nd election so that he would not run for re-election. Prosecutors said Jones made the threat on December 2, 2019, just days before the 2020 election filing date. Jones has been accused of pressuring public servants and displaying false caller identity information. If convicted, he faces up to one year in prison with a fine of up to 4,000 or both.
Jones’s attorney, Oliver Jason Brown, issued a statement Friday afternoon stating the amount of corruption against his client. Brown’s full statement is as follows:
“My client, Damien Jones, is deeply disappointed with the fraudulent and ridiculous charges against him today. He will never be involved in any kind of election fraud. Let’s be clear, he will proudly speak the truth about power in a way that empowers the neglected in our communities, and in politics who have put inappropriate targets on his back. While the murder rate in Harris County is skyrocketing, Kim Ogre chose to use taxpayer funds to further personal attacks. Since being elected in 2016, D.A. Kim Ogg has abused the power of raphis and demanded politically beneficial justice for her only when she claimed to reform our racist and unjust system. Mr. Jones has been very critical of Kim Og’s work and will not stop today. Public corruption is at its best what Kim Oge did today and we will work with federal officials to bring it to justice. Harris County deserves a top cop who focuses not on political favors but on justice. Mr. Jones appreciates your prayers and support as we fight and expose corruption in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. “
More video
You can see a replay of Harris County District Attorney Kim Og’s news conference about this charge below.
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