Special to El Rrun-Run
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Her term expired in December 2014. She worked for Cameron County for more than 40 years. De La Garza first served as the administrative assistant director for the Adult and Juvenile Probation Office and later as assistant chief juvenile probation officer in 1973, before her election in 1980 as district clerk.
Newspaper stories of that time reported that:
Guess who just jumped into the JP 2-1 race for the Democratic party primary in 2020?
Would you believe the Blast From the Past former Cameron County District Clerk Aurora de la Garza? She is facing stiff competition from Cindy Hinojosa and Fred Arias.
You remember Aurorita. She decide not to seek reelection to her position De La Garza in 2013 after having served as district clerk since 1980, spanning eight consecutive terms.
Her term expired in December 2014. She worked for Cameron County for more than 40 years. De La Garza first served as the administrative assistant director for the Adult and Juvenile Probation Office and later as assistant chief juvenile probation officer in 1973, before her election in 1980 as district clerk.During that time, Cameron County became the employer for a slew of her relatives and family. Before she left office she took just enough time to get a deferred adjudication for her son Joey de la Garza after the was caught stealing funds from the Sunshine Haven Hospice in Olmito.
"Joey De la Garza, the former director of Sunshine Haven was sentenced to five years deferred adjudication after State District Judge Abel Limas found him guilty of misusing more than $80,000 in funds belonging to the hospice.
De la Garza, then 35, attempted to plead no contest to the charge of misapplication of fiduciary property Friday afternoon, but Limas found him guilty based on the evidence provided by the Cameron County District Attorney's office, said Jason Moody, spokesman for the district attorney's office.
De la Garza was taken to the Cameron County Jail where he was booked, fingerprinted and later released.
"It's an unfortunate situation because of the type of organization Sunshine Haven is," said then-Chief First Assistant District Attorney Charles E. Mattingly Jr. said in a prepared statement.
"He took immediate steps to take responsibility for his action, including his plea to the felony offense," Mattingly said. "We hope that he takes the necessary steps to rehabilitate himself so that no further legal action is required."
According to the criminal complaint, de la Garza diverted cash property of Sunshine Haven for personal use by "using Sunshine Haven, Inc. credit or debit cards and cashing Sunshine Haven Inc., checks and borrowing money of behalf of Sunshine Haven Inc., for his own use."
The incidents occurred from February 2007 to April 2008, court documents state.
An offense regarding the allegations was filed on Sept. 22 of this year with the Cameron County Sheriff's Department.
The complaint on the police report reads "misapplication of fiduciary property or property of financial institution."
In addition to the deferred adjudication, Limas also ordered de la Garza to pay back the $83,503.28 he misappropriated from Sunshine Haven, which it's believed he did, the District Attorney's office reported."
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De la Garza, then 35, attempted to plead no contest to the charge of misapplication of fiduciary property Friday afternoon, but Limas found him guilty based on the evidence provided by the Cameron County District Attorney's office, said Jason Moody, spokesman for the district attorney's office.
De la Garza was taken to the Cameron County Jail where he was booked, fingerprinted and later released.
"It's an unfortunate situation because of the type of organization Sunshine Haven is," said then-Chief First Assistant District Attorney Charles E. Mattingly Jr. said in a prepared statement.
"He took immediate steps to take responsibility for his action, including his plea to the felony offense," Mattingly said. "We hope that he takes the necessary steps to rehabilitate himself so that no further legal action is required."
According to the criminal complaint, de la Garza diverted cash property of Sunshine Haven for personal use by "using Sunshine Haven, Inc. credit or debit cards and cashing Sunshine Haven Inc., checks and borrowing money of behalf of Sunshine Haven Inc., for his own use."
The incidents occurred from February 2007 to April 2008, court documents state.
An offense regarding the allegations was filed on Sept. 22 of this year with the Cameron County Sheriff's Department.
The complaint on the police report reads "misapplication of fiduciary property or property of financial institution."
In addition to the deferred adjudication, Limas also ordered de la Garza to pay back the $83,503.28 he misappropriated from Sunshine Haven, which it's believed he did, the District Attorney's office reported."
In a sense Aurora and Linda are two nurturing Mommies. Remember that Salazar did not recuse her self from cases involving her son Mark Anthony until it became public. And creditors were unaware that the judge was related the owing party they had taken to court. Later, she quietly turned over the cases to her buddy Sally Gonzalez who gave him a lap in the hand.
The text De la Garza sent is printed below:
"Good Morning! Just to ask you to please consider my Cousin JP Linda Salazar for re-election. Her Dad & my Mom were brother & sister. She has been in office for several years prior to that she was Court Coordinator for Judge Menton Murray( who supports her 100%).
While a working Mom she got her degree at TSC/ UTRGV. She is the proud Mom of newly elected Ruben Cortez to Texas State Board of Education.
Linda is a former BISD board member. She has quite an impressive background. She is a very hard working humble person. Appreciate your support. Please tell your family & friends. Truly grateful, Aurora DLG.