Former DMV Deputy commissioner, Victor Diaz, is charged with sex charges that police say involved a victim under 16 years of age. (Waterbury Police Department)
Two high profile Latinos in public offices face charges; one resigned from his office, the other has been forced out by voters. Former DMV Deputy Commissioner Victor Diaz, one of the highest ranking Latinos in state government, has been arrested on sexual assault charges involving a minor.
The 36 year old Waterbury resident, resigned abruptly from his position recently, citing personal reasons. His arrest warrant has been sealed, and Diaz, the former President of the Waterbury NAACP and a rising political Latino leader is being held on bond and is due back in court October 7.
State Rep. Christine Ayala lost her seat the August primary, after a series of run-ins with the law.
Meanwhile, a state Superior Court judge has signed a warrant for the arrest of state Rep. Christina Ayala, D-Bridgeport, according to the CT Post.
The newspaper reports the warrant was sought by the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney and comes almost a year after the State Elections Enforcement Commission recommended Ayala and her mother, Democratic Registrar of Voters Santa Ayala, be criminally prosecuted for election fraud.
Ayala, 31, was elected in 2012 is being charged with voting fraud violations and with tampering or fabricating physical evidence.
So far, no action has been so far taken against her mother, Santa Ayala, who, despite being accused by the SEEC of possibly helping her daughter to break the law, was nominated by Bridgeport Democratic leaders this summer for another term as registrar and will appear on the November ballot.
The probe into the Ayalas was launched following a Hearst Connecticut Media report in late 2012 that revealed Ayala had been living outside her district.
For more on her story: http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Judge-signs-warrant-for-Christina-Ayala-s-arrest-5775690.php?cmpid=email-mobile
For more on the Victor Diaz story: http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-victor-diaz-arrest-20140923-story.html