El Paso Inc.: Motive Behind Scandals In Sunland Park A Mystery

By David Crowder / El Paso Inc.

In all the hubbub about Sunland Park?s election scandal, there?s been a lot of noise about lap dances and voter fraud.

But what about motive? What would motivate the 10 people arrested so far to risk prison and ruin for control of city hall in a poor, small New Mexico town?

Almost surely, it was money.

And the biggest pot around is $12 million that Sunland Park casino owner Stanley Fulton donated to help the city win a new pedestrian border crossing.

Did the town?s mayor-elect, Daniel Salinas, and others execute an elaborate conspiracy to blackmail mayoral candidate Gerardo Hernandez into withdrawing from the race to ensure their access to that money?

Read the full article here.