A lawsuit filed in Tarrant County is accusing a Democrat running for the Texas House of Representatives of failing to pay her vendors and subcontractors in the business she operates.
House District 80 candidate Cecilia Castellano, who operates Azteca Designs and Construction, allegedly failed to provide proper compensation for work done by one of Azteca’s subcontractors, the Glass Doctor of North Texas, according to the suit.
Glass Doctor had entered an agreement to work on a project with Azteca in November 2023, where the subcontractor was slated to earn $49,643.36, according to the filing. Later, Glass Doctor was tasked with replacing damaged glass installed by another subcontractor for an additional $18,487.77.
However, Glass Doctor says the payments never arrived.
Plaintiffs instead painted a picture of Azteca going out of their way to avoid providing the payments, claiming the project was “not built pursuant to written plans” and back-charging Glass Doctor to fix work done by a third party.
Azteca also “claimed at various times that Glass Doctor damaged the Project’s drywall,” the filing read. “Glass Doctor inspected the drywall and, despite clear evidence, its representatives did not cause the damage, Glass Doctor made repairs at its own cost without charging Azteca in hopes that Azteca would finally pay the amounts owed and due.”
Glass Doctor later discovered that other subcontractors were not paid fully for their contributions to the Azteca-led project, leading plaintiffs to conclude in their filing that “Azteca is nothing more than a shell corporation.”
Upon information and belief, Defendant Azteca is undercapitalized and cannot meet its obligations, or it has diverted corporate funds to benefit Defendant Castellano’s political ambitions.
Castellano is currently in a hotly-contested campaign for HD 80—a historically Democrat seat that has become competitive since former President Donald Trump’s 2020 overperformance in the majority Hispanic South Texas.
Over the summer, Castellano beat the sister of disgraced U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar in the Democrat primary for the district, following the announcement that current State Rep. Tracy King (D-Uvalde) would retire.
She now faces former Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin, a Republican who led the city from 2014 to 2023 and through the aftermath of the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting.
McLaughlin campaign spokesman Nick Maddux told Texas Scorecard that the news about the lawsuit was unsurprising given her previous track record.
Castellano and one of her aides, Manuel Medina, are currently under investigation by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office for potential voter fraud in their recent Democrat primary victory.
“From supporting biological males participating in girls’ sports to supporting amnesty for the illegal immigrants overwhelming border communities, it is well established that Cecilia Castellano is too radical for South Texas,” stated Maddux.
“Now, this lawsuit highlights that she is also incompetent in business. Despite receiving massive taxpayer-funded bailouts and millions in government contracts, Castellano allegedly refuses to pay her vendors,” he continued. “With her integrity already in question as she is under investigation for voter fraud, this lawsuit further proves that she will put her interests above those of South Texas.”
Medina commented on behalf of the Castellano campaign that McLaughlin’s business has also come under scrutiny in the past.
His statement targeted a 2021 incident where McLaughlin’s supplier company, DKM Enterprises, was involved in a road accident that led to the death of a 29-year-old woman.
The case against McLaughlin and DKM was ultimately dismissed by a Missouri judge.
“Don McLaughlin is a snake,” insisted Medina. “Once again, he instructs his ‘Good Old Boy’ network to harass, intimidate, and do his dirty work. Instead of raising bogus claims against small business owner Cecilia Castellano, McLaughlin should take responsibility for his role in the tragic death of Ms. Brooke Rees.”
He continued, “Instead of hiding behind ‘legal maneuvers’, McLaughlin should accept responsibility for the death of Ms. Brees. His ‘power and privilege’ should not grant him immunity from liability and prosecution.”
Early voting in the November General Election begins October 21 and runs through November 1. Election Day is November 5.
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