Beto Responds To Undercover Veritas Video; Insists Campaign “Above Board”

Rep. Beto O’Rourke responded to allegations by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) that O’Rourke staffers have been illegally funneling campaign funds to help transport Honduran nationals traveling in the Central American caravan headed towards the southern US border.

In Friday comments, Cruz cited an undercover sting by Project Veritas in which O’Rourke campaign staffers Dominic Chacon and AnaPaula Themann appear to admit to facilitating helping transport migrants to airports and bus stations. 

Cruz referred to the video while campaigning in Fort Worth, telling a crowd of about 300 that “a video broke this morning of his campaign staffers taking campaign money and apparently using it to give it to people coming here illegally.” –Dallas Morning News

O’Rourke responded, telling the Dallas Morning News “We’re looking at this, but anyone who is trying to politicize this is trying to win an election base on fear. I want to make sure that we’re focused on the issues that matters most to Texas.” 

“I am comfortable that the campaign is above board, that everything is being reported to the FEC and I’m going to also make sure that I understand that’s going on, but from everything I’ve heard, that’s the sum of it,” added O’Rourke. 

James O’Keefe of Project Veritas challenged O’Rourke on Friday to “make the records public.” 

DEVELOPING: BETO RESPONDS TO UNDERCOVER VIDEO OF CAMPAIGN STAFF… Let’s see the FEC records then, if “the campaign is above board” then make the records public! pic.twitter.com/MkulHK064Q

— James O’Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) November 2, 2018

BETO DEVELOPING: If “appropriately reported” then why were the staff on video saying “nobody needs to know,” “I just hope nobody that’s the wrong person finds out about this” “If you get caught in some sort of violation that’s like a $50,000 fine” “I can just ignore the rules…” https://t.co/YjR5xirSqh

— James O’Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) November 2, 2018

Staffers for O’Rourke were captured on undercover video telling O’Keefe’s undercover operatives amontg other things “Don’t ever repeat this and stuff but like if we just say that we’re buying food for a campaign event, like the Halloween events…” adding “I just hope nobody that’s the wrong person finds out about this.” 

VERITAS: O’Rourke Campaign Staffers Transporting Caravan Migrants to “airports… bus stations,” using campaign resources – say “Don’t ever repeat this…” FULL REPORT — https://t.co/ZKR7XsMZMN pic.twitter.com/8cu0yCk8C6

— James O’Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) November 2, 2018

WATCH: Beto campaign manager says “don’t worry” about using campaign resources to support caravan migrants in Texas; Staff says “I just hope nobody that’s the wrong person finds out about this.” pic.twitter.com/oSk29u6736

— James O’Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) November 2, 2018

Perhaps sensing that the Veritas video would cement a victory for recent Trump ally Ted Cruz, O’Rourke picked up an endorsement Friday from former CIA Director, John Brennan, who tweeted: “I believe Beto O’Rourke is the type of individual Texans need in the U.S. Senate to represent their best interests. He has the integrity, intellect, and character that is in short supply in Congress.” 

As a former resident of Texas and a proud UT-Austin alumnus, I believe Beto O’Rourke is the type of individual Texans need in the U.S. Senate to represent their best interests. He has the integrity, intellect, and character that is in short supply in Congress. Vote!

— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) November 2, 2018