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By KTRH News
Dec 11, 2020
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced that a Grand Jury indicted three people Friday in two different failed schemes intended to affect the outcomes in two Texas House of Representatives’ local districts during the 2020 election cycle. The impacted districts were HD 132 and HD 142.
“Our democracy depends on keeping our elected officials safe from coercion and our elections free from illegal manipulation,” Ogg said. “Those indicted today crossed the line from dirty politics to criminal activity and they will pay the price.”
Democratic political consultant Damien Jones was indicted for Coercion of a Public Servant and False Caller Identification Information Display for an anonymous threat texted to then State Representative Gina Calanni in an attempt to coerce her into resigning her position in HD 132, instead of running for re-election. The threat was made on Dec. 2, 2019 just days before the 2020 election filing deadline. Instea
State representative candidates Richard Bonton and Natasha Demming indicted by Harris County Grand Jury on election fraud and threat charges
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The indictments involve races for Texas House Districts 132 and 142.
Richard Bonton and Natasha Demming were indicted Friday on charges related to the House District 142 race against State Rep. Harold Dutton. In a story first reported by ABC13 months ago, prosecutors say candidate Bonton tried to increase his chances of winning the primary by recruiting Demming. They allege that Bonton helped Demming file for candidacy under a false name, Natasha Ruiz. Ruiz received 20 percent of the vote on Election Day, more than Bonton, and forced Dutton into a runoff.
Three people were charged Friday in connection with what prosecutors described as two failed schemes aimed at influencing the outcome of two Texas House of Representative races.
In a surprise Friday press conference, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced the Grand Jury indictments of three local Democrats — Richard Bonton, Natasha Demming and Damien Jones — connected to two election fraud schemes tied to the local Texas House of Representatives races in House Districts 142 and 132.