RICHARD BONTON

Dutton got the highest number of votes during the Democratic primary in March, but not enough to avoid a runoff with the second- and third-place finishers. Prosecutors said Friday that an investigation revealed that the third-place candidate, Natasha Ruiz, was actually Natasha Demming, who filed under a false name. Prosecutors accused Demming of conspiring with Richard Bonton, who was another candidate in the District 142 race, to manipulate the vote. RELATED: 8 months after ‘ghost candidate’ review launched, State Rep. Harold Dutton hoping for justiceBoth Demming and Bonton have been charged with felonies related to tampering with a governmental record. “When somebody steals votes from people, that is about the highest crime you can commit, as far as I’m concerned,” Dutton said.

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced that three local Democrats had been indicted on election fraud charges tied to two Texas House races. In a surprise Friday press conference, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced the Grand Jury indictments of three local Democrats — Richard Bonton, Natasha Demming and Damien Jones — connected to two election fraud schemes tied to the local Texas House of Representatives races in House Districts 142 and 132. Most of the fraud charges are connected to the March Democratic primary for Democratic state Rep. Harold Dutton’s seat representing HD 142. Dutton, Bonton and Demming are all Black. “The result for Richard Bonton is that he now stands charged with election fraud, conspiracy to tamper with governmental records and actually tampering with governmental records,” Ogg said.

Former candidate Richard BontonKPRC 2 Investigates has learned that former candidate for state representative, Richard Bonton, has been indicted by a Harris County Grand Jury on multiple charges including election fraud. According to the indictment obtained by KPRC 2 Investigates, Bonton is charged with conspiracy to commit tampering with a government record, tampering with a governmental record and election fraud. While the murder rate in Harris County skyrockets, Kim Ogg chose to use taxpayer funds to pursue a personal attack. What Kim Ogg did today is public corruption at its finest and we will work withFederal authorities to bring justice. Harris County deserves a top cop who is focused on justice, not political favors.