By know you have either had an opportunity to review the text messages or have heard enough about them to get a general feel for their content. Besides the fact that an elected official, Claudia Ordaz, is being coached by a County employee on city public policy, there are many more issues that the community must address. Some of them either border on criminality or are ethical violations at the very least. Today, I would like to point the most troubling ones to you.
Let us start with the most obvious problem with all of the text messages. It is clear that Claudia Ordaz is working a County agenda instead of representing the city’s constituency that elected her into office. As if that wasn’t bad enough, she is being coached on what issues to bring up before city council and how to vote on those by Jose Landeros, a County employee, that is likely the proxy between Ordaz and Vince Perez, a county commissioner. On its face, this is highly unethical and likely, a violation of both governing bodies’ codes of ethics.
The question that remains is whether Jose Landeros is being paid with county funds to coach Claudia Ordaz during city council meetings. Landeros, who works for Vince Perez, should be focusing on county related business while on the payroll. If Landeros is on the county payroll while coaching Ordaz then that raises the further question of whether his activities constitute political activities, which would be a violation of various ethics rules/laws from the county on up to the state level. Working on behalf of Vince Perez also may embroil Perez on ethical issues as well.
The MPO Issue
The texts prove that Claudia Ordaz posted the MPO issue on the agenda for political reasons. Many of us have speculate that it was to keep her boyfriend, Vince Perez, as the chairman of that body. This is still likely a part of her agenda. However, the text messages prove that Claudia Ordaz targeted Cortney Niland and Michiel Noe through the MPO posting on the city’s agenda for her political benefit.
Misuse of City Resources
In a March 25, 2015 text message to the city’s City Manager, Tommy Gonzalez, Claudia Ordaz asked the city manager for a “favor.” Ordaz asked the city manager to have code compliance take down her opponent’s campaign sign at a street corner on Zaragosa. There are numerous problems with this request.
First, Claudia Ordaz, an elected official who is in the midst of a campaign, asks her employee, Tommy Gonzalez to task one of his departments with removing her opponent’s political sign. This is a clear ethical violation and likely, it is also a misuse of her official capacity as an elected official. Additionally, she is interfering with the electoral process in what amounts, at the very least, an ethical violation but could also rise to the level of violating the election code.
Veronica Escobar
Veronica Escobar is very engaged with Claudia Ordaz as evidenced by the text messages. In “Who is Paying Claudia Ordaz?” I connected some dots for you between who is funding her campaign and what the possible motives were. In that post, I clearly laid out that Claudia Ordaz was being funded by individuals living outside of her district. I pointed out that about 85% of her campaign funds came from outside of her district.
According to the text messages, Claudia Ordaz acknowledges that Veronica Escobar raised much of her campaign funds and helped her in her campaign. Tie that in with the other Escobar cohorts, Susie Byrd and Eliot Shapleigh and you can clearly see the public policy agenda that Ordaz supports.
The Future of Claudia Ordaz
There is no future for Claudia Ordaz. Assuming she survives the numerous ethical and possible criminal issues revealed by her text messages, the fact remains that Ordaz has no future in El Paso politics. You may have noticed that at yesterday’s city council meeting, Claudia Ordaz was late and was not present for the majority of the time that council was in session.
This is because Claudia Ordaz has destroyed any working relationship she may have had with the other elected officials. Very few, if any, will work with her now that her behind-the-scenes shenanigans have been exposed. None is likely to trust her. At this point, it will be extremely difficult for Claudia Ordaz to collaborate with the rest of the elected body. Without a working relationship with city council, Claudia Ordaz cannot effectively function for her constituency. They are the ones that will ultimately suffer.
Not only do the text messages show an intent to publicly damage Michiel Noe and Cortney Niland but also they conclusively show that she did so at the expense of the taxpayers of the city. City council was used as a pawn in the political gamesmanship being perpetuated by Vince Perez and Veronica Escobar. At the very least, it is highly unethical.
How any other city representative can respect her now is beyond me. Combined with the MPO issue, the city manager raise debacle and now her complete disregard for decorum, respect and just plain decency there is no possible opportunity for reconciliation with her colleagues on council. About the only thing Claudia Ordaz can do now is resign. Many would applaud that decision.
Totally agreed, the right thing for Ordaz to do at this point is resign. All her creditability and trust is gone. There is no way she can be effective as a policy maker or representative of her district. From this point onward, everything she does or says will be subject to extra scrunity. There will be an unwillingness to have candid discussion with anyone on city council.
Perez and Escobar have always had their motives, policies and trust questionable. These emails confirm our suspicions. There is no longer any question that these two are in office for self promotion and gain. They obviously do not grasp or more likely do not care that their responsibility was to the county NOT one another.
Arrogance by three of the county commissioners has been affirmed repeatedly thru word and deed. Stout who sees himself as an authority on everything and iis very condensending to constituents should have never been elected or at least continue in his role as brief case carrier for Escobar. I don’t know whether he or Perez bow more to her majesty. The Asians would be amazed of their perfection of the bow.
Monkey see, monkey do. So don’t be so shocked at what their staffs will do please the bosses. Doesn’t matter whether it is legit or not nor whether it violates ethic codes. Their arrogance is very apparent as well. I don’t know how or why they suddenly feel superior because they answer phones, run errands or brown nose.
Then what the heck was the purpose of firing deep throat? Supposedly because it reflected bad judgement and on the county to have an employee that is convicted of a heinous crime, being showing porn to his daughter. What do we read and hear, that Perez and Escobar still seek his guidance. The only difference is they now meet in alleys or whisper on phones. These are the people that represent YOU. They pull strings to get him a slap on the wrist and keep him around. For his crimes, you wouldn’t even get an interview with the county ! Why is Landeros still on the job? He should be terminated, he wins hired as a county employee for county affairs not politic and manipulate another entity while on the clock.
Why are government officials still associating with a con and granting access to their offices or sharing information about policy issues ? He’s not an accredited reporter, he’s a “blogger” ! Someone suggested he is a consultant. A consultant for what ? Dirty politics, personal attacks on others as ordered, lies, not trustworthy and scammer. There is many questions to be answered by the city and county as why he has free rein of both entities. They need to answer why they are having discussing policy and seeking guidance from a terminated emmployee.
The Mayor needs to have a long talk with the judge and demand that she state to the public that will be no more interference or back dooring at city hall.
The Ethics board and State Attorney General need review the entire situation and take action as appropriate. There should be recall demands by the voters in each district. What happen on more than one occasional is serious not some cat fight as some like to minimize.
The other commissioners although not implicated, share responsibility for not speaking up at anytime. The ostrich technique doesn’t clear you. Where is the outrage ? Your creditability and trust has been tainted as well.
Tainted Government and Shameful
Ethics if is a oxymoron for El Paso government city or county. Ethic board or commission in El Paso city or county has never found any thing unethical it’s all good as long as the FBI doesn’t catch someone then it’s the FBI’s problem. “heinous crime” Twilight zone music please! Just may want to go look up the meaning of that one.
Heinous was used to emphasize the gravity of showing the mother in compromising positions with another man. That will bother the daughter forever and could cause some serious issues later in life., he destroyed that little girl.
This guy has no conscience, destruction of others is nothing to him.
No future? All she has to do is ride it out to the next election where fewer voters than turn out for a monster truck rally will assure her continuance in office. This is El Paso, not Portland.
BTW, who is the “Bobby” mentioned in her texts associated with housing? You wouldn’t know, would you, Martin?
Tainted Government and Shameful
Nope not even, inappropriate yes! Hell many these days let their kids watch soft porn all the time,if they have movie channels out right porn. Hey we have others in the community who are just as or worse in being morally depleted and ethical challenged and people in El Paso keep electing them. You may not like Jaime but his right to vote has not been revoked and he still has the right to engage his government. We can’t say the same for a lot of others in El Paso who are to lazy in their duties and obligations as a citizen. If you do not like what Jaime is doing engage your government go present an opposing view. Then that would mean some body would have to do some work and maybe expose themselves to getting into the dirt. Let’s be honest for a lot it easier to be a key board warriors and bitch than get their hands dirty.
This wasn’t just porn, it was the girls mother with another man. That’s the difference a lot more personal. I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t use a few derogatory descriptions of the mother.
No one is suggesting his right to vote was revoked. He manipulated the system to suit political interests. If his criminal behavior was so minor, why fire him? Because what the behavior was such that it reflected on the standards. I doubt if he would have been hired if the offenses had been committed to being employed. Remember governments are supposedly held to a higher standard.
It’s not a matter of whether anyone likes Jaime. I don’t know the guy, I know what is on record and his reputation. Your comment infers that any disapproval of certain behavior is personalized. You ever get a ticket because the officer didn’t like you? I’m sure it was because you committed an infraction. Jaime and others have at a minimum violated Ethics. And interfered in city business on the county’s dime.
Trust me, many in this city, private and professional have heard my concerns. I am not a keyboard warrior. I take my civic duty very seriously. Perhaps, my voice will not be heeded but I can say I tried.
The rest of of El Paso’s finest will eventually be exposed as these were and the previous 30 doing time. What is done on personal time and doesn’t involve government policy is one thing but when they enter the public realm, it becomes the public’s business.
Tainted Government and Shameful
On the issue of the children Jaime was not charged with a crime he is no a felon so the heinous crime is just trash talking. Sorry to break it to you it does not matter it’s unethical no one is going to do any thing. Hey I am guess you live in the city of El Paso so stop being lazy and file an ethics complain with the city and if you think it goes as far as the county then file a ethics complaint with the county Ethics commission. No Martin, Max ,or you will not do it. Prove me wrong! Hey an ethics complain isn’t that hard to write and file. IT’s not rocker science!
Thomas,
Far be it for me to defend Martin, but in some instances Martin may not be able to file an ethics complaint – at least with the state ethics agency. The reason being is that the state requires that the filer have real property in the state (which Martin may or may not have).
Love,
Me
Tainted Government and Shameful
Oh one more thing if you think there has been a ethics violation that reaches criminality hey file a criminal complaint with the DA’s office or the El Paso Police department or the El Paso County Sherriff’s department. Once again not hard to write. But in the end none will!
As an attorney we frequently hear of things being like Tainted. I frequently advise my clients to sue when someone irresponsibly says things that aren’t accurate. From my understanding of the facts of the case, which are entirely unrelated to this post, is that the individual was never charged with a sex crime and the charge you are referring to was dismissed. So aside from the presumption of innocence, you have the facts wrong. From what I recall of news reports there was never an allegation that they were photos with another man and never an allegation that they were shown to his daughter. You should exercise more caution when stating things as fact that aren’t accurate in a public setting with the intent to smear someone. It could be an expensive mistake for you.
He admitted that it happen, but pleaded and charges dropped. It’s not my opinion, unless the media was incorrect. I never said he was a felon, those are your words. There is probation, without a conviction ?
There is no attempt to smear, I am repeating what he stated. The intent would have to show a motive for personal reasons. I am not encouraged, paid, offered favors or political or a campaign to smear. I don’t know any of them. I am merely a citizen that is concerned.
As for Thomas, I stated they need to do an investigation of all systems to determine what offenses may have occurred. During the course of investigation they may or may not find criminal activity. Nevertheless it all needs to be investigated. Perhaps nothing will be done. But some of us don’t just roll over on the first bark.
As for tainted, since the release of the information, there are many questions unanswered to the point it has people concerned. If trust and creditability is in question, that’s tainted until there is information that there had been a review of all records and everyone is cleared. The perception has to be cleared.
But thanks for the advice.
Again if he were my client is advise him to file suit against your It’s fairly easy to show damages and intent to harass on your part. You’d be correct if you were actually repeating what has been reported but a simple search shows that he never admitted to anything like that and is serving probation for a misdemeanor computer offense. The charge you’re alleging was dropped and your making an assumption that it was part of a plea. Even if it were, you’re still assuming guilt. This country has due process for a reason. Anyone can be accused of a crime. These were originally charged as felonies and were dropped to misdemeanors about a year prior to any plea agreement so it’s even more likely the charge was dropped because of lack of evidence rather than a plea.
My comments have been reviewed by an attorney and it has stated there is nothing in my comments that are harassment, damages, etc. also first amendment rights are involved. Harass? I don’t know the guy. There’s no purpose or motive other than a concerned citizen.
He stated that he didn’t want the information repeated in court which resulted in a plea. It was also stated the showing the videos of his spouse in compromising positions in court would subject his family to additional harm and ridicule which is why he agreed to a plea, his words not mine, as quoted from a media interview. Unless the media has misinformation.
Harassment, there is no personal interest nor am I attempting to intimidate anyone.
I believe there’re has been enough discussion to the point it is no longer friendly advice or are there other concerns? . Thank you.
Tainted Government and Shameful why the need to change the screen name of to Concerned citizen?
Like hell you got a attorney to look at what you posted. Tried hard to get you to step back from what you claimed but you made the choice of ignorance. You do claim Jaime committed a heinous crime against his daughters and he did not. That is smearing and slander in a poor attempt to discredit him wrongly. A version of the story you’re carrying has been posted on the comment section of David K blog ,Martins blog, I think even at least one version on Max’s blog. Problem is most failed to look at the actual records of what Jaime was charged with. It does mean jack to what hear say you heard but what the court records say. Sorry a minor misdemeanors isn’t any thing close to, your word not mine, a heinous crime.
I use whatever name I wish. I already stated that it was not a felony conviction but use of the word to emphasize the gravity of the situation.
So draw whatever conclusions you wish. You are so out of it with personal rage. I know the attorney and they don’t have to be looking over shoulder to review.
I will repeat once more, I simply quoted the interview so unless there is a willingness to accuse the media of misinformation.
Tried to get me to pull back ? What waste my time.
The problem is you were a low life to use children in your attack and by changing your screen name you pretty much have proven you know you did wrong but to sorry to admit it. Hey go after Jaime all day long he puts his self out there but leave helpless children out of. Oh go sue me, get on down with your bad self.
Gimme a break. Don’t you guys read Martin’s blog? He’s obviously a crook and a perv. Pleading guilty to lesser charges doesn’t make you innocent. Only a skank would have anything to do with him.
“In addition, several images and videos of my daughter’s mother in inappropriate sexual positions, performing various sex acts, and different stages of undress, as well as nude photos and videos of several men engaging in sexual activity were going to be published in open court, subjecting my family to future ridicule and harm,” Abeytia said in a statement that explained why he pleaded guilty.
What is the ex-wifes’s side of the story? I would bet the perv himself took the videos of her with other men.
Observation is a chump and there is no danger of being sued for what was stated. Likely not even an attorney.
Vegas, I figured it was most likely a perv insider trying the Maori ritual. Anita that’s an interesting theory about the video.
Quoter, it was good that you quoted exactly and proved the point.
No married woman just starts doing those kinds of things with other men on her own for no reason. Either he was in on it or she was getting revenge for some kind of abuse or because he was doing the same thing. Obviously he was involved with Susie and Veroncia.