Texas
Related: About this forumIndictment Links Prominent Texas Family's Horse Stable to Zetas Money-Laundering Case
A prominent Texas family with connections to the states top officials is alleged to have purchased and boarded horses for a Mexican drug cartel engaged in money laundering, according to court records.
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Over the past decade, they have contributed almost $250,000 to federal and state politicians led by Texas top three officials. In 2008 Gov. Perry appointed Dr. Graham to the now-defunct Texas Department of Rural Affairs. The Grahams havent been charged with wrongdoing, and their names dont appear in the indictments. But allegations made against their stables in the indictments suggest that the Zetas cartel paid the Grahams a small fortune in recent years. In all, Tyler Graham bought more than $1 million worth of horses that ended up in the hands of the Zetas cartel, which made at least $550,000 in payments to the Grahams stable, according to trade publications and the indictment. The Grahams didnt respond to calls and emails seeking comment.
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Not in doubt are the Grahams political connections. Since 2001, the Grahams have contributed $32,025 to Perrys campaign account, accord to state records. Theyve also donated to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst ($17,100), House Speaker Joe Straus ($15,500), a San Antonio Republican, and state Sen. Kirk Watson ($15,500), an Austin Democrat.
http://www.texasobserver.org/cover-story/indictment-links-prominent-texas-familys-horse-stable-to-zetas-money-laundering-case
tanyev
(42,613 posts)douglas9
(4,359 posts)A federal judge on Friday denied the government's request that a San Elizario man be held without bail after being indicted last month on allegations that he helped Los Zetas drug cartel launder money by bidding on quarter horses.
Seeming unimpressed with the government's case against Raul Ramirez, 20, U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard Mesa ordered that Ramirez be released on $10,000 bond. Federal prosecutors had asked that Ramirez be held without bond, saying he was a risk to flee and a threat to potential witnesses and jurors.
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Ramirez was indicted on May 30 along with two alleged top leaders of the brutal Zetas and 10 others on charges that he helped the drug gang spend $20 million since 2008 in the American quarter-horse industry
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He told agents that he had worked around horse racing most of his life, trotting and grooming horses and cleaning out stalls at Ruidoso Downs and Casino for $500 a week. Federal agents raided the facility last week, along with others in Texas and Oklahoma.
http://www.elpasotimes.com/communities/ci_20920965/san-elizario-man-gets-bail-zetas-case
sonias
(18,063 posts)white cloud
(2,567 posts)Same thing coming out of Ruidoso NM and OKC. I will post links.
Greed and money