Dr. Matthews, Quanell X allege pay-to-play scheme involving Fort Bend Democratic Party chair

SUGAR LAND, Texas - Dr. Matthews and Quanell X held a press conference Wednesday outside the Fort Bend County Democratic Party headquarters, where they accused Fort Bend County Democratic Party Chair Jennifer Cantu of operating a pay-to-play scheme and interfering with an election involving Judge Paula Miller. During the press conference, the speakers alleged that Fort Bend County voters elected Judge Paula Miller despite long lines and voting machine issues during the election. They claimed Cantu has attempted to remove Miller from the ballot by challenging her eligibility despite an ongoing court case involving the matter. Quanell X further alleged that an appellate court ordered the parties to maintain the status quo while the case remains under review. He accused Cantu of proceeding with what he described as a "sham election" to place another candidate on the ballot and alleged that the replacement candidate is a personal friend of Cantu. Quanell X also alleged that Cantu made racist remarks about Black representation on the bench in Fort Bend County and argued that her actions were intended to remove Judge Paula Miller from the ballot despite the outcome of the election. Throughout the press conference, Dr. Matthews and Quanell X repeatedly called for transparency and accountability, arguing that the will of Fort Bend County voters should be respected. The speakers displayed copies of several checks that they alleged were issued to Cantu by a former Fort Bend County Democratic Party chair in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. They questioned the purpose of the payments and alleged the checks were evidence of a pay-to-play system within the local party organization. In addition, the speakers alleged that Judge Paula Miller was asked to provide a $5,000 payment to keep her name on the ballot. They claimed Miller declined and alleged that subsequent efforts were made to remove her from the ballot. Dr. Matthews said she has relayed the information and supporting materials to the Texas Rangers and the Texas Ethics Commission and called for investigations into the allegations raised during the press conference. Jennifer Cantu was not in the office during the press conference and has not provided a comment