Ortega Campaign Fianance Report Debacle: Mishandling of Finances

 

Ortega Campaign Finance Report Debacle: Mishandling of Finances

Does Steve Ortega have the skills to provide competent oversight of taxpayer money?

Editorial

Steve Ortega filed an amended report for each of the 3 filing dates. He filed the 30^th and 8^th day before election reports on May 16, 5 days after the May 11 General Election.

The 30^th and 8^th day before election reports had an additional $38,250 in contributions that had been omitted from the original filings.

 

What is disturbing is it is painfully obvious that the totals on the summary sheet do not add up.

 

That should have been the first clue to Ortega that his “corrected” reports may still not be correct and if necessary to seek some math help.

                                     

Based on his handling of his campaign financial reports, does Steve Ortega have the skills to provide competent oversight of taxpayer money?

 

This week’s recent debacle with the Downtown Ballpark costing more than actually predicted adds fuel to the fire.

 

There are important questions regarding Ortega’s campaign finance reports.

 

And these question are not necessarily about who contributors are as we have touch upon in previous post and as we touch upon on our next post. But -- we'll mentioned them anyway.

 

Did Ortega delay filing corrections so that voters would not know how much money he had on hand before the May 11 general election?

 

Did Ortega omit Paso del Norte Group (PDNG) donors to hide their influence on his campaign?

 

The table lists the omitted donors totaling $38,250.  $37,500 of this $38,250 are from PDNG Members or their family.

Date	Last Name	Amount
11-Mar	Sanders	$4,000	PDNG
12-Mar	Francis	2500	PDNG
12-Mar	Francis	2500	PDNG
12-Mar	Hoy	2500	PDNG
12-Mar	Robison	5000	PDNG
15-Mar	Brown	5000	PDNG
19-Mar	Cardwell	4000	PDNG
25-Mar	Houghton	5000	PDNG
25-Mar	Stewart	2000	PDNG
29-Mar	Wallace	750
1-Apr	Rogers	2500	PDNG
22-Apr	Hunt	2500	PDNG

 

The Table below is the summary sheet he signed and filed for each amended Campaign Finance Report.

 

It is obvious from a visual scan that Total Political Contributions Maintained as of the last day of the each report do not “look” correct, particularly for the 30^th and 8^th day before election reports.

 Ortega's Amended Report                  Jan 15       30th Day       8th Day        Total

Total Political Contributions                54,395       80,774.88     147,300.5     282,460.4

Minus Tot Political Expenditure          12,905.37  36,251.11      201,296.49  250,443

Minus In-Kind Donations                     125           1559.88         7429.5         9114.38

Equals Tot Political Contribution

       Maintained                                     41,479.63  23,162.41      23,496.24   22,893.03

 

Given the totals Ortega submitted, below is what one would expect to be reported as the summary totals, particularly for the Total Political Contributions Maintained as of the last day.

 

Based on the values provided, the actual contributions maintained as of the last day would have been $84,318.52 on hand rather than $23,162.41.

 

An underreport of $61,156.11 !

 

	January 15th	30th day	8th day	Totals
Tot Political Contributions	54,385	80,774.88	147,300.5	282,460.4
minus Tot Political Expenditures	12,905.37	36,251.11	201,296.49	250,453
minus In-Kind Donations	125	1559.88	7429.5	9114.38
equals Tot Political Contributions Maintained	41,354.63	84,318.52	22,893.03	22,893.03

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 

 

 

Below is a table of the difference in amounts reported and expected for each amended Campaign Finance Report for Total Political Contributions Maintained as of the last day of the each report.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

	January 15th	30th day	8th day
Tot Political Contributions Maintained	125	-61,156.11	603.21

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Additionally, Ortega’s political contributions were checked multiple times and the summary totals do not add up to reported line item totals.

 

The largest is $6,121.00 in contributions that could not be accounted for in the 8^th day before election report.

 

Overall, it appears there is $5,546.00 in donations with no line item donors but is included in the final summary page total.

 

________________________________________________________________

                                                       January 15th       30th day      8th day      Totals

Tot Political Contributions              54,285                 80774.88     147,300.5  282460.4

Tot Political Contributions              54,060                 81,674.88    141,189.5  276914.4

                Calculated

Difference                                      325                       -900             6121         5546

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 

Again, we pose the question, based on his handling of his campaign financial reports --

Does Steve Ortega have the skills to provide competent oversight of taxpayer money?

 

Is Steve Ortega Holding Office Improperly?

Is Steve Ortega Holding Office Improperly? 
Comparisons to Socorro Corruption

 

Editorial

 

El Paso has Single Member District Representation, which requires City Representatives to reside full time in the District voters elected them to represent for their entire term in office.

 

Recently blogger David K publically disclosed on his blog, what apparently many people already knew that Steve Ortega moved out of District 7 into District 1 with his spouse near the Kern area quite some time ago – apparently around September 2012.

 

Ortega has an apartment address in District 7 and questions have arisen whether he is using that address to game the system to stay in office?

 

Why should you care? There are many reasons here are 3:

 

1. An elected official should never be allowed to circumvent laws or regulations. Otherwise, isn’t that basically the definition of corruption?

 

2. A representative holding office improperly, such as by not living in the District they were elected to represent, has serious implications for contracts, financial decisions, and close votes.  Votes may be invalid, including those votes to authorize debt, expenditures, and enter into contracts.

 

How much debt and expenditures have been authorized? How many contracts has the City Council voted upon?

 

3. Single-Member District Representation was put in place because of El Paso’s long history of discrimination. Allowing circumvention defeats protective measures, and representative government for all 80,000+ District 7 residents.

 

Misinformed? Indifferent to District 7 Residents? Covering for Ortega?

 

Members of the public reported to DIEP that they have reported questioning local newspapers and local TV news about the lack of reporting holding Ortega accountable. A few members in the media are apparently aware that Ortega allegedly moved out of District 7 and lives in District 1.

 

The local media gave several responses to the public and these responses have given rise to allegations of a cover up. The same problem occurred a few years ago in the removal of a District 8 Representative so why not report now? The responses reported were disturbingly inaccurate including:

 

1. During the year when the District boundaries are being redrawn, the regulations for representation of a District do not apply

.

2. The City Attorney waived the residency requirement.

 

3. Representatives only have to live in their District 6 months before running.

 

4. A Representative does not have to live in their District for the last 6 months of their term.

 

What do the Authorities say?

 

DIEP called call the Texas Secretary of State’s Office and spoke to an attorney. Also, DIEP called the Department of Justice to ask of requirements of Single Member District Representation.

 

Here is a combined summary:

 

1. Single-Member District Representatives are required to live full time within their District boundaries to be eligible to run and if elected must reside full time within the District boundaries for their entire term.

 

2. If a representative moves out of the district that elected him/her to represent them, then the representative is required to resign immediately.

 

3. A City Attorney has no authority to waive Single Member District requirements.

 

4. The City Charter only further defines residency in a district as someone who has lived in the District full time for at least 6 months prior to running for the office.

 

5. The City Charter does not waive Single Member District requirements for continued full-time residence in the District for the entire term.

 

6. Single-member district regulations always apply regardless of redistricting.

 

Photo from "We the People of El Paso" Facebook site

The only exception is if a new approved redistricting map redraws boundaries such that the Representative’s current home is "drawn out" of their District during redistricting.

 

In this case, the representative is allowed to complete the remainder of their term if they continue to reside in their current precinct or should they choose, relocate back into the new district boundaries. 

 

A representative may not run for re-election for the district unless they move back into the new district boundaries.  If they chose not to relocate, then they may run for the office of the district they live in if th

71% of Tania Chozet’s Campaign Donations came from Steve Ortega’s Donors, Family, & Friends

 

71% of Tania Chozet’s Campaign Donations came from Steve Ortega’s Donors, Family, & Friends

Over half are Paso Del Norte Group Affiliated

Editorial

 

District 7 City Council Representative Tania Chozet’s campaign donations confirm that she and Steve Ortega are funded and running as a slate to represent special interests and preserve the majority-voting bloc on City Council.

 
District 7 voters need to be aware that Tania Chozet will represent the special interests who funded her instead of the voice and interests of District 7 residents.
 
Tania Chozet reported collecting $34,630 in campaign donations prior to the May 11 general election.

$24,600 or 71% of Chozet’s campaign donations came from Steve Ortega’s donors and supporters.




Click Image to Enlarge: 71% of Tania Chozet's Campaign Contributors are
Contributors and Known Supporters of Steve Ortega

$19,900 or 58% of Chozet’s campaign donations came from Paso del Norte Group/Borderplex Alliance members and Associates, the same group that promoted the Downtown baseball stadium.




Click Image to Enlarge: 58% of Tania Chozet's Contributors are
Members of the Paso del Norte Group (aka Borderplex Alliance)

 

 

 

On one of her campaign literature flyer, Chozet states, “We need lead at City Hall that fight for all of us, not the special interests. I’m proud to be an independent voice for working families.”

Chozet’s quote sounds warm and fuzzy, but it appears by who her contributors are, that Chozet’s definition of “working families” are the Sanders, Francis, Cardwells, and Browns, among others, who happened to be millionaires.

Related Stories:

Tania Chozet throws hissy fits at recreation center

Is Tania Chozet JustSteve Ortega in a Skirt?

Comadres at the Wall: Ortega Questions Whether Oscar Leeser's Mom is Real Mom or Actress

 
Comadres at the Wall
Ortega Questions Whether Oscar Leeser's Mom is Real Mom or Actress

Steve Ortega Harassing Oscar Leeser's Mom? 

A source reported that Steve Ortega wanted KVIA to make Mrs. Leeser prove that she was actually Oscar Leeser's mother and not an actress.

 

So KVIA sent their “crack investigative team” for the job. They went to Hyundai of El Paso where she has an office. According to our source, Mrs. Leeser had family photos in her office and other momentos showing yes, she is definitely his mother and not only is "he such a good boy" she is a first-class lady.  

 

According to our source, the KVIA reporter said he felt like a complete ass for even asking her. Good! The Comadres agree and Steve Ortega is the bottom dwelling scum in a 50-year old un-flushed toilet.

 

A better use of the "crack investigative team" would be to visit Ortega's home in Kern Place.

 

Demanding Debates

Steve Ortega is demanding debates with Oscar Leeser. Leeser is not giving. And why should he?

 

There were more than 20 debates this election season, why more? Maybe because Steve Ortega blew off going to many of those debates? So now the El Paso Times wants to try to make Ortega look good?

 

Ortega should have attended all those debates during pre-election like Mr Leeser did, huh Steve?

 

All those debates you missed, maybe you could have convinced El Paso how you know what's best for them. Ortega blew off so many debates and now he's complaining.

 

Grow up. It’s called missed opportunity.

 

Chozet and Ortega Coordinating

Well, we now hear it is no coincidence that District 7 candidate Tania Chozet, like her pal Steve Ortega, hired the Forma Group as her political consultant and literally has the “friends and family service” with Stanton Street Technology Group, now led by Amy O'Rourke Sanders (Bill Sander's daughter) for campaign help.

 

Most likely Chozet's headquarters is there and not in District 7.

The Ortega and Chozet campaigns are closer than most think. Not only are their special interest campaign donors the same, much cooperation is occurring between the two.

 

One source revealed their campaign platforms and agendas are the same and the two are running as a special interest slate to preserve the current City Council majority voting-bloc.

Chozet, the District 7 candidate who will only represent Downtown and special interests.

Beto O'Rourke at "Let's Play Ball" rally in support of City Hall Demolition and Downtown Ballpark

 

 

Where’s that Bold Leadership?

Word at the wall is O'Rourke’s Chief of Staff is out and Beto is scrambling to find a replacement.  Rumor is the powers that be are not too happy with Congressman Beto O'Rourke.

 

It seems they are getting nothing accomplished because no one will listen to him in DC.

In the most recent debacle, 11,000 El Paso civilian employees are to be furloughed from Ft Bliss thanks to Beto’s vote supporting Republicans and sequestration. Meanwhile Beto is on tour promoting pot when he is not holding a sign for his pal Steve Ortega.

 

We've mentioned before how there is a lack of trust among congressional Democrats regarding the El Paso congressman. Well duh, if your father-in-law was a major Republican donor why would a Democrat trust you or listen to anything you have to say. 
Recommended Links:

Deep Inside El Paso

Is Tania Chozet Steve Ortega in a Skirt?

More than half of Chozet’s campaign contributors are the same special interests that fund Ortega. For an attorney that worked for the ACLU, this is a 180.


El Paso Speak

What Will He Do?

Many of us say that this election cycle has been about city management, not the city manager.
Incredibly the city manager has taken action that may make the runoff elections about her too.
Seeing is believing

Seeing is believing

This is sad.

Our current city councilman who is running for mayor filed two corrections to previous state mandated campaign finance reports on May 16, 2013.  I picked this up from the elpasonews.org web site.  According to the article the candidate under reported $40 thousand in contributions.  Actually, it is hard to see.  Not understand, see.  The portion of the document where the contributions are listed uses typeface  that is so small and blurry that even after printing out each sheet and using a magnifying glass it was hard to see.  You can try it yourself.

El Paso News

Steve Ortega Hates El Paso

I have to give credit where credit is due. Steve Ortega hates the essence of El Paso. Unlike Susie Byrd who embraces her El Paso heritage publically but turns around and votes against it, Steve Ortega has consistently been open about his disgust for his El Paso heritage.

 

Steve Ortega Under reported $40K

Something has been bothering me about the Steve Ortega campaign finance reports. They just do not add up. As I sat down to review them, I wanted to check my numbers once again so I went to the Municipal Clerk’s office and lo-and-behold Steve Ortega had filed not one, but two amendments to his initial filings. The amendments were filed after Election Day. Bottom line, the Steve Ortega Campaign under reported approximately $40,000 in campaign contributions before Election Day.          

El Paso Media’s “Unique Situation” is with Steve Ortega not Oscar Leeser

El Paso Media’s “Unique Situation” is with Steve Ortega not Oscar Leeser

Are Bob Moore and the El Paso Times trying to swing the Mayoral election for Ortega and extort advertising dollars from Mr Leeser?

 

By Eddie Torreal
 

In the latest and most pathetic attempt to apparently swing the Mayoral election for Ortega and retaliate against Mr. Leeser the El Paso Times and Kevin Lovell of KVIA would like you to think there is a “problem”.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_23253174/el-paso-media-face-unique-situation-oscar-leeser

 

Funny thing is neither Bob Moore or Kevin Lovell  have admitted this problem with Beto O’Rourke and his mother who spends big bucks advertising her furniture store in both the El Paso Times and on KVIA.
 

Many of Ortega’s big financial supporters such as Hoy-Fox Auto, Rick Francis of Westar Bank, Hunt, Paul Foster of Western Refinery, and Beto’s mom are also major advertisers who may also be “unhappy” if their financial investment and candidate, Ortega, is not promoted.

 

Then there is Del Sol Medical Center another major advertiser, who happens to employ Ortega’s spouse as their Chief Operating Officer, and recently received multiple city contracts, who may also be “unhappy” if their boy loses.

 

And let’s not forget the El Paso Times’ landlord has the biggest financial stake in Ortega. Can anyone say rent increase?

 

Furthermore many advocates of ethics in journalism have question the Times coverage of the stadium scandal, the demolition of City Hall, and the purchasing of the El Paso Times building by the city. National Public Radio (NPR) frequently reads disclosures on stories on individuals who may be underwriters to NPR. It’s been said the Times should have run a disclosure at the top of their stories regarding the stadium scandal that read: “Disclosure: El Paso Times is currently selling it building to the City of El Paso to replace city hall.”

 

It would seem Ortega presents the bigger problem because there are so many more advertisers financially invested in him who seem desperate to keep him in office.

Considering what has not been reported about Ortega and his conflicts of interest during his entire tenure on City Council it would seem neither Bob Moore nor his staff  know the meaning of  “thorough, accurate, and fair news reporting” much less journalistic integrity.

 

Before you listen to Bob Moore you should ask him why he has not required Steve Ortega to turn over all his personal emails in which he conducted City business before giving a blind endorsement.

 

If the advertising and journalism functions at the El Paso Times are really separate then why is this even a story and why would Bob Moore even know about Mr. Leeser’s advertising activity?

Kudos to Mr Leeser for his honesty, integrity, and finding better investments in El Paso than Bob Moore and the El Paso Slimes.

It's All Good: City of El Paso Chooses a 1993 Slogan to Promote City

Associated Pest

 

City of El Paso Chooses a 1993 Slogan to Promote El Paso

"Bring Back Memories of Me Jamm’n to MC Hammer," says City Manager

by Satria Sinvergüenza
Posted: 1:17 PM 05/15/13

Last month billboards appeared all over El Paso promoting the campaign, “El Paso, It’s All Good.”

 

“This is a campaign to promote how the El Paso City Council,” says City Manager Joyce Wilson, “is 20 years behind.”

 

The city manager refers to the “It’s All Good” slogan once popular in 1993.

 

“It’s all good to have this slogan back,” says mayoral candidate Steve Ortega, “like my silly socks and dress style before I started running for mayor, 1993 was the year, Boo Ya!!”

 

It was 20 years ago that most cities in the United States fully realized the folly of having a city manager form of government.

“El Paso is still catching up,” says city manager Joyce Wilson, “the El Paso elites pulled a fast one on El Pasoans in 2004 when they promoted changing the city over to a city manager form of government.”

 

“We also realize,” continued Wilson, “that many cities, 20 years ago, found out that baseball stadiums do not bring any economic incentive, so now it’s El Paso’s turn to find that out.”

 

Mayor candidate Steve Ortega at last Friday's "It's All Good" rally

Last Friday, hoping to garner votes for its lagging mayoral candidate and to promote “El Paso, It’s All Good,” a Gavachanga Rally was hosted Downtown with free T-shirts and music. Episodes of Beavis and Butt-Head and the films "The Firm," "The Fugitive," and "Jurassic Park" were screened. Rep. Steve Ortega even dress up as Mrs. Doubtfire.

 

“The rally was all that,” says Ortega, “we played music of by 4 Non Blonds, Soul Asylum, Blind Melon, and of course Whoomp! There it is!”

 

Is the EL Paso Times Deliberately Misleading Voters to Help Steve Ortega?

Is the EL Paso Times Deliberately Misleading Voters to Help Steve Ortega?

Texas Tech wonders where El Paso Times gets their numbers

 

In an effort to promote Steve Ortega apparently the El Paso Times has resorted to making up information.

 

Click to Enlarge

http://www.elpasotimes.com/opinion/ci_23200977/downtown

 

Even Texas Tech School of Architecture is wondering where the El Paso Times got the number 500 people. The space involved is only 16,587 square feet.  

 

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=652776418082454&id=233033540056746

 

 

Texas Tech School of Architecture is hoping to reach 300 in about 5+ years.

 

Clerk to Enlarge. Facebook Wall says "...but where'd they get that number?"

 

Did Steve Ortega Fail to Report $7,000 in Campaign Contributions?

Did Steve Ortega Fail to Report $7,000 in Campaign Contributions?
Ortega Has No Final Campaign Finance Report for His 2009 City Council Run according to Mun. Clerk website

by Jerry

As noted on the City Council agenda from 4-30-2013, Steve Ortega received $5000 from EC “Ted” Houghton and $2000 from Marlene and JO Stewart Jr. on March 25, 2013.

Texas Election Code requires these contributions be reported in the 30 day before election campaign finance report.

The $7000 in campaign donations are not reported in any of Steve Ortega’s campaign finance reports to date.

 

http://www.elpasotexas.gov/muni_clerk/city_council.asp?agenda=04-30-13&addition=true

Item 4. Notation of Campaign Contributions

For notation pursuant to Section 2.92.110 of the City Code:  receipt of campaign contributions by Representative Steve Ortega on March 25, 2013, in the amount of $5,000 from E. C. Houghton, Jr.; in the amount of $2,000 from Marlene and J.O. Stewart, Jr. ; on March 28, 2013, in the amount of $500 from Joel Guzman; on March 29, 2013, in the amount of $750 from Ronald Wallace; in the amount of $1,000 from Robert Wingo; on April 1, 2013, in the amount of $500 from M. Nicole and Rafael A. Adame, Jr.; in the amount of $500 from Jorge Hernandez; in the amount of $500 from Thomas Mayr; in the amount of $2,500 from J W Rogers, Jr.;  in the amount of $500 from Phillip Rothstein; on April 2, 2013, in the amount of $700 from Scott Adkins; in the amount of $500 from Chris A. Cummings; in the amount of $1,000 from Dr. Manuel C. and Francoise Feliberti; and in the amount of $1,000 from Leonard Goodman, III. [Representative Steve Ortega, (915) 541-4124]

 

Also of interest is that Ortega’s final campaign finance report from the 2009 election when he ran for reelection for District 7 Representative is not posted. Did he file?

21% of Steve Ortega’s Campaign Donations came from 6 PDNG Special Interests

 

21% of Steve Ortega’s Campaign Donations came from 6 Paso del Norte Group/Borderplex Alliance Special Interests

Apparently Steve Ortega is the Sweetheart of the PDNG 6. Who says campaign donations don’t influence votes?

UPDATED: 3:34PM
by Jerry


21% or $51,759.88 of Steve Ortega’s total campaign donations came from the following 6 Paso del Norte Group (PDNG a.k.a. Borderplex Alliance) special interests.

We mention employees because aside from getting their spouses and children to “contribute,” the oligarchs often do the same with their employees to spread the money.

 

1.    6.4% or $15,659.88 of Steve Ortega’s total campaign donations came from the owners and relatives of 500 W Overland, who also happen to have a contract with the City. 

Coincidentally the 500 W Overland tenants include Steve Ortega’s Campaign Headquarters, Steve Ortega’s PR group The El Paso Times, and Beto O’Rourke’s Stanton Street Technology Group.

2. The William “Bill” Sanders and O’Rourke Clan plus employees donated $8,500 or 3.5%.

 

 

 

3.  Woody and Josh Hunt and Hunt employees donated $7,600 or 3.1 %

 

4.  Paul Foster and a Western Refinery employee donated $7,500 or 3%

 

5.  Harold Hahn of Rocky Mountain Mortgage donated $6,500 or 2.6%

 

6.  Ted Houghton of the TxDOT Commission and Toll Road fame donated $6,000 or 2.4%*

 

The pie chart below shows the break down of total campaign donations by interest group

CLICK TO ENLARGE
Steve Ortega Donor Breakdown

 

50% or $120,454.90 PDNG and their Associates which includes those named above

7 % or $18,250 PACs and Companies

1% or $3,125 Family and Friends

8% or $19,600 Builders and City Contractors excluding PDNG donors

7% or $18,300 Out of Towners

Only 27% or $67,384.50 was donated from the “Average Citizen”, less than received by other Mayoral candidates.

* Note that $5,000 of Ted Houghton's donation is not listed in Ortega's 8-day before election report or prior reports. This information is listed on the City Council agenda for April 30, 2013.