Latest news with #MarkAguirre
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Charges dropped against conservative activist in Texas over false voter fraud claim
Texas prosecutors on Tuesday dropped charges against a prominent conservative activist in Houston related to allegations he had been part of what authorities have called a baseless voter fraud conspiracy theory in which a man was run off the road and held at gunpoint over claims he was holding fraudulent voter ballots. Dr. Steven Hotze, 74, had been facing four charges related to allegedly helping plan an assault against an air conditioner repairman in October 2020. Prosecutors alleged the repairman was run off the road and held at gunpoint by Mark Aguirre, a former Houston police officer. Aguirre had worked for a firm hired by Liberty Center for God and Country, a nonprofit organization that Hotze runs, to pursue a voter fraud investigation. Aguirre had claimed the repairman was the mastermind of the voter fraud scheme and that the man's truck had been filled with fraudulent ballots when Aguirre ran his SUV into it, according to authorities. Police who responded to the incident searched the repairman's truck and found only air conditioning parts and tools, prosecutors said. Hotze was charged with four counts — aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, engaging in organized crime and unlawful restraint. On Tuesday, the Harris County District Attorney's Office dropped all four counts against Hotze and three of the five counts against Aguirre, who is still facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful restraint. 'This deeply troubling case shows how toxic conspiracy theories can fuel real-world violence that endangers people in our community,' Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare said in a statement. 'We look forward to vigorously prosecuting the remaining charges in this case that stand up to legal scrutiny.' Jared Woodfill, Hotze's attorney, said he was surprised but pleased by the dismissal of the charges. 'It's been a long four-year journey for Dr. Hotze. It cost him a lot of money. Obviously, they tried to destroy his reputation through the negative publicity. But in the end, justice was served and everything's been dismissed,' Woodfill said. Terry Yates, an attorney for Aguirre, did not immediately return a call or email seeking comment. A conservative power broker, Hotze has a long history of filing election-related lawsuits, including unsuccessfully suing to stop the extension of early voting in Texas during the 2022 election. He also sued officials in Harris County to limit in-person and absentee voting, making allegations without evidence that Democrats were engaged in 'ballot harvesting' by gathering votes from individuals who are homeless or elderly. Woodfill said Hotze continues to believe that voter fraud is taking place in Harris County, the state's most populous county and where Houston is located. 'I think everybody will tell you there's voter fraud. Just the question is how much,' Woodfill said. Texas has tightened its voter laws in recent years and increased penalties that Democrats and opponents say are attempts to suppress turnout among Black and Latino voters. Elections in Harris County, a Democratic stronghold, have been heavily scrutinized in recent years by GOP lawmakers, including Gov. Greg Abbott, after problems with ballot and worker shortages, long lines and ballots that were not counted the day of the election. In 2023, Abbott signed a bill that removed Harris County's elections administrator and transferred the responsibility to other local officials. Earlier this month, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced indictments against six people in a rural county southwest of San Antonio as part of a widening elections investigation. ___
Associated Press
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Charges dropped against conservative activist in Texas over false voter fraud claim
HOUSTON (AP) — Texas prosecutors on Tuesday dropped charges against a prominent conservative activist in Houston related to allegations he had been part of what authorities have called a baseless voter fraud conspiracy theory in which a man was run off the road and held at gunpoint over claims he was holding fraudulent voter ballots. Dr. Steven Hotze, 74, had been facing four charges related to allegedly helping plan an assault against an air conditioner repairman in October 2020. Prosecutors alleged the repairman was run off the road and held at gunpoint by Mark Aguirre, a former Houston police officer. Aguirre had worked for a firm hired by Liberty Center for God and Country, a nonprofit organization that Hotze runs, to pursue a voter fraud investigation. Aguirre had claimed the repairman was the mastermind of the voter fraud scheme and that the man's truck had been filled with fraudulent ballots when Aguirre ran his SUV into it, according to authorities. Police who responded to the incident searched the repairman's truck and found only air conditioning parts and tools, prosecutors said. Hotze was charged with four counts — aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, engaging in organized crime and unlawful restraint. On Tuesday, the Harris County District Attorney's Office dropped all four counts against Hotze and three of the five counts against Aguirre, who is still facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful restraint. 'This deeply troubling case shows how toxic conspiracy theories can fuel real-world violence that endangers people in our community,' Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare said in a statement. 'We look forward to vigorously prosecuting the remaining charges in this case that stand up to legal scrutiny.' Jared Woodfill, Hotze's attorney, said he was surprised but pleased by the dismissal of the charges. 'It's been a long four-year journey for Dr. Hotze. It cost him a lot of money. Obviously, they tried to destroy his reputation through the negative publicity. But in the end, justice was served and everything's been dismissed,' Woodfill said. Terry Yates, an attorney for Aguirre, did not immediately return a call or email seeking comment. A conservative power broker, Hotze has a long history of filing election-related lawsuits, including unsuccessfully suing to stop the extension of early voting in Texas during the 2022 election. He also sued officials in Harris County to limit in-person and absentee voting, making allegations without evidence that Democrats were engaged in 'ballot harvesting' by gathering votes from individuals who are homeless or elderly. Woodfill said Hotze continues to believe that voter fraud is taking place in Harris County, the state's most populous county and where Houston is located. 'I think everybody will tell you there's voter fraud. Just the question is how much,' Woodfill said. Texas has tightened its voter laws in recent years and increased penalties that Democrats and opponents say are attempts to suppress turnout among Black and Latino voters. Elections in Harris County, a Democratic stronghold, have been heavily scrutinized in recent years by GOP lawmakers, including Gov. Greg Abbott, after problems with ballot and worker shortages, long lines and ballots that were not counted the day of the election. In 2023, Abbott signed a bill that removed Harris County's elections administrator and transferred the responsibility to other local officials. Earlier this month, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced indictments against six people in a rural county southwest of San Antonio as part of a widening elections investigation. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano:
Forbes
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Dallas Mavericks Win 2025 NBA Draft Lottery
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 12: Dallas Maverics have officially won the in NBA Draft Lottery with 1.8% ... More pre-lottery chance to win the pick in Chicago, Illinois, United States on May 12, 2025. San Antonio Spurs got the second pick, Philadelphia 76ers got 3rd and Charlotte Hornets got the 4th pick in the lottery. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images) After a tumultuous season filled with questionable decisions and fan discontent, the Dallas Mavericks defied the odds and won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery. Dallas will have the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, scheduled to take place at the Barclays Center in New York City on June 25. This presents the Mavericks with the opportunity to draft Cooper Flagg, a standout freshman from Duke University. This marks the first time the organization has moved up in the NBA Draft Lottery. The Mavericks entered the event slotted at No. 11, with only a 1.8% chance of securing the top pick and an 8.50% chance at moving into one of the top four positions. This is the second time that Dallas has held the first-overall selection. In 1981, the Mavericks used the first overall pick to select Mark Aguirre out of DePaul in the second-ever draft in Mavericks franchise history. Drafting the 6-foot-9 Flagg will serve as a small consolation for Mavericks fans who are still reeling from the loss of generational talent Luka Doncic. On February 1, Mavericks GM Nico Harrison made a shocking decision by trading Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. The trade, which returned an often-injured Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick, drew widespread criticism from NBA players, fans, and the media alike. The repercussions were swift: season ticket holders demanded refunds, and there was a notable decline in home game attendance and merchandise sales. ESPN reported that the trade cost the Mavericks tens of millions of dollars this season and could potentially cost them nine figures over the next several years. Despite several media appearances, Harrison has yet to fully explain the rationale behind his decision to trade away the five-time All-Star and First Team All-NBA selection just seven months after Doncic led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals. Selecting Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick this summer could help alleviate some of the fan dissatisfaction and financial losses incurred from trading Doncic. However, the Mavericks still have a long way to go in rebuilding goodwill with fans, many of whom continue to chant 'Fire Nico' at various events in the Dallas area.
