Grace Saenz-Lopez
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| Grace Saenz-Lopez | |
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Former Mayor of Alice, Texas
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| In office 2003 – February 2008 |
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| Succeeded by | Juan Rodriguez, Jr. |
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Grace Saenz-Lopez is a former mayor of the city of Alice, Texas.
Saenz-Lopez was indicted on January 18, 2008 on two felony counts of tampering with evidence and concealing evidence following the theft of a dog belonging to vacationing neighbors. During their absence she called the neighbors and claimed that the dog had died. The dog, a Shih Tzu named Puddles but called "Panchito" by the mayor, was later spotted at her sister's home. She faces a criminal complaint and a civil lawsuit filed by the neighbors.
City council members held a vote of no confidence and recall petition affidavits were gathered. On February 1, before a date for such an election could be set, Saenz-Lopez resigned from office.
The story has received nationwide attention due in part to her important public status as mayor of the Alice community and her bizarre rationale for the theft and deception, claiming the dog was mistreated by its owners and that she did it in the dog's best interest. Reporting by KZTV news in Corpus Christi, Texas and other local news outlets was quickly picked up by national bureaus.
[edit] External links
- L.A. Times: "Texas mayor is in a puddle of trouble"
- A.P.: "Texas mayor in dog fracas could lose job"
- City Council of Alice, Texas
- Text of Saenz-Lopez's resignation letter
- Texas mayor resigns over Shih Tzu (BBC)
| Preceded by Dr. Rito Silva Jr. |
Mayor of Alice, Texas
Grace Saenz-Lopez |
Succeeded by Juan Rodriguez, Jr. |
