RIDER FILE PHOTO
Former Edinburg Mayor Richard Molina’s trial on charges of voter fraud during the 2017 municipal election began Tuesday with his defense’s opening statement in Hidalgo County’s 92nd District Court
The defense argued that, due to a change in voting laws in 2021, Molina was justified in his actions, but the state objected and a recess was called.
On April 25, 2019, Molina was arrested after defeating incumbent Mayor Richard Garcia by 1,240 votes, according to texasattorneygeneral.gov.
Also arrested was his wife, Dalia Molina. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Dalia Molina and Julio Ceasar Carranza, his former business partner, face two counts of illegal voting and one count of engaging in organized election fraud. Carranza, who also has pleaded not guilty, will be a witness called by the state to testify against Molina.
Richard Molina is accused of changing the addresses of voters who did not live in Edinburg and allegedly pressuring people for their vote.
Since the investigation began in April 2017, 20 people have been arrested in connection with the case.
In their opening statements, the state accused Molina and his wife of changing the addresses of their friends to apartments owned by Molina, even though they did not live there or ever intend to live there.
“The people who voted illegally, they’re gonna tell you about it,” said District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez.
The state also accused Molina of pressuring people he asked to change addresses to vote for him.
