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DemsDespiseUSAMilitary
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Clinton donor faces criminal charges
A major contributor to Democratic causes and candidates has surrendered to
face charges that he impersonated a lawyer and a police officer.
Mauricio Celis turned himself in Monday and then was released after posting
$50,000 bail. District Attorney Carlos Valdez argued for $1 million bail,
saying Celis was a flight risk.
"I don't appreciate the fact that the prosecution is treating me like a
second-class citizen," Celis said during the hearing.
Celis has contributed thousands of dollars to state and federal candidates,
including the presidential campaign of Sen. Hilary Clinton. Several
candidates for state office who accepted campaign cash from Celis have since
donated the funds to charity.
Celis, 36, was indicted Friday on charges of impersonating a lawyer,
impersonating a police officer, theft and perjury.
He has a controlling interest in the CGT Law Group of Corpus Christi even
though he is not an attorney. Texas law prohibits anyone not licensed as a
lawyer from owning a controlling interest in a law firm.
Although the indictment was returned Monday, Celis' bail hearing was delayed
because two judges recused themselves from the proceedings. Judges do not
have to give a reason for recusal.
Among the conditions of bail, Celis must place a sign at the CGT Law Group
offices stating he is not a lawyer, and surrender his passport and any
firearms he owns.
If the criminal charges are tried together and Celis is found guilty, he
could face up to 10 years in prison plus fines. If the counts are tried
separately, he could face 32 years plus fines.
A major contributor to Democratic causes and candidates has surrendered to
face charges that he impersonated a lawyer and a police officer.
Mauricio Celis turned himself in Monday and then was released after posting
$50,000 bail. District Attorney Carlos Valdez argued for $1 million bail,
saying Celis was a flight risk.
"I don't appreciate the fact that the prosecution is treating me like a
second-class citizen," Celis said during the hearing.
Celis has contributed thousands of dollars to state and federal candidates,
including the presidential campaign of Sen. Hilary Clinton. Several
candidates for state office who accepted campaign cash from Celis have since
donated the funds to charity.
Celis, 36, was indicted Friday on charges of impersonating a lawyer,
impersonating a police officer, theft and perjury.
He has a controlling interest in the CGT Law Group of Corpus Christi even
though he is not an attorney. Texas law prohibits anyone not licensed as a
lawyer from owning a controlling interest in a law firm.
Although the indictment was returned Monday, Celis' bail hearing was delayed
because two judges recused themselves from the proceedings. Judges do not
have to give a reason for recusal.
Among the conditions of bail, Celis must place a sign at the CGT Law Group
offices stating he is not a lawyer, and surrender his passport and any
firearms he owns.
If the criminal charges are tried together and Celis is found guilty, he
could face up to 10 years in prison plus fines. If the counts are tried
separately, he could face 32 years plus fines.
