The ex-Constable # 7, Gaspar Tarango, 67, says that he wants his old job back because "someone like Burkett doesn't deserve to be a law enforcement agent". He is referring to William Burkett, 42, who won the seat in the 2000 election.

Tarango held the seat from 1994 to 2000 and was Deputy for four (4) years prior to that. He says that he was a good Constable. The problem he made was hiring Burkett. Tarango claims that after many negative references, he, against his better judgement, went ahead and hired Burkett as his Deputy.

"I never thought that he would attempt to get me out of office" says Tarango. Tangao goes on to indicate Burkett has a whole list of civil and criminal charges in the past or pending that include: restraining "protective" orders, breach of contract and the most recent arrest by the El Paso Police Department.

One night, Burkett and an El Paso County Sheriff's Deputy Mark Graham, 35 were allegedly threatening Stampede nightclub employees and were asked to leave. Things allegedly got uglier and the police were called. In that altercation Graham was arrested on charges of resisting arrest and Burkett was charged with retaliation - a third degree felony- after allegedly threatening a police officer and his family; the El Paso Times story indicated (April 6, 2004 by Daniel Borunda).

Tarango carries the newspaper clipping around with him and claims that this type of behavior is not consistent with the office of Constable. After being asked if he, Tarango, had any legal problems himself; Tarango, offered that he indeed had been arrested by Anthony Police in 1997 for allegedly DWI. Tarango claims that Burkett was behind the arrest and that Tarango was not convicted of that crime. Tarango claims that he did not accept a plea bargain either and that there was no evidence to support the charge.

Burkett was not seen at the Early Voting and was unable to be reached for comment.

More later. Be sure to Vote.

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