Texas lawmaker's role in Mexico ransom case questioned

The Associated Press
Saturday, June 28, 2008

WASHINGTON – A government watchdog group on Friday called for an investigation into whether Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, used his influence to persuade U.S. authorities to intervene to rescue a distant Mexican relative who was kidnapped for ransom in Mexico.

Mr. Reyes and Immigration and Customs Enforcement both say there was no special treatment. Mr. Reyes said he has never even met the woman, Erika Possert, whom he described as the aunt of his sister-in-law's son's wife.

He said his sister-in-law called his Texas office to report the kidnapping, and one of his staffers called an ICE official in El Paso. Mr. Reyes said he wasn't informed until seven hours later. Ms. Possert and another person were released after a ransom was paid by her family in Mexico. ICE had no role in the ransom negotiations, agency officials said.

The Associated Press