(October 29, 2007)

The case against 35 year old local businessman Mauricio Celis is now in the hands of District Attorney Carlos Valdez. Nueces County Sheriff Jim Kaelin says his office has completed its investigation of Celis, who's been accused of impersonating a lawyer and a peace officer.

Now, Valdez will have to decide whether to take the case to a grand jury. Meantime, our Rudy Trevino has uncovered additional information on Celis's contributions to various political candidates.

In a publication called "Texans for Public Justice" Celis is named a top individual contributor, donating almost 160-thousand dollars during the 2004 election cycle.

As Three News reported last week, several candidates who accepted political contributions from Celis said they planned to give the money back, or give it to charity, contributions received for the current 2008 election cycle.

Among those who have already done so, Representatives Juan Garcia, Solomon Ortiz Jr and Abel Herrero.

Garcia donated 1,000 to "STARS" which stands for "South Texas Academic Rising Scholars."

Ortiz donated $1,000 to the Boys and Girls Club and Herrero to Crime Victims Assistance Program.

Three News checked with the Texas Ethics Commission for additional contributions prior to 2007 and discovered that all three candidate have received considerably more from Mauricio Celis.

Herrero topped the list with $50,000 during his campaign in 2004. Garcia received $17,000 and Ortiz received $25,000.

Asked whether the additional amount would be returned, a spokesperson for Garcia said that money was received in good faith and spent in good faith. We were unable to reach Ortiz or Herrero for comment. Rudy Trevino, Three News.