El Paso restaurateur and City Council District 8 candidate Arturo R. Alluin is brushing off criticism over how his campaign has been spending money, especially at two restaurants he operates. After reports flagged a more-than-$2,500 charge for new suits and thousands in campaign expenses at his own businesses, Alluin says he has now filed a corrected campaign finance report, pulled the clothing purchase, and insists he did not misuse political cash. He adds that he personally picked up many of the tabs and that the events his campaign held at his restaurants ran at a discount that left both the campaign and the businesses in the red.
Alluin's Interview And Corrections
Speaking with KVIA, Alluin pushed back on the scrutiny, saying, "I didn't mismanage any funds, I didn't steal any funds, I didn't misuse any funds." He told the station that "as of Tuesday" he had submitted a corrected campaign finance report that removed the suit purchase and clarified certain donations.
KVIA reported that his original filing listed more than $3,500 in campaign spending at Sushi Itto and Meduza, two El Paso restaurants he operates. Alluin says the campaign was charged discounted rates and that he covered some costs out of his own pocket.
What The Filings Show
City Council agendas and City Clerk records list campaign contributions and filings for Alluin, reflected in notations on the city's Legistar system. The El Paso Herald Post reviewed his campaign finance reports and found that the campaign reported taking in roughly $30,241 in contributions and spending about $42,751.78. The filings also show personal loans from Alluin to his own campaign totaling $35,000.
According to the Herald Post's review, those numbers left the campaign with about $8,519 in cash on hand. In other words, the operation is currently running more on personal loans than on donor money.
How The Law Applies
Under Texas Election Code Section 253.041, a candidate is barred from knowingly using political contributions to pay for personal services provided to a business in which that candidate has a participating interest. The statute classifies violations as a Class A misdemeanor. The Texas Ethics Commission, according to its enforcement guidance, can investigate sworn complaints, issue civil penalties, and refer cases for criminal prosecution.
Alluin told KVIA he was not fully aware of that specific provision. He said he "gave myself the discount" on the restaurant events and used personal funds for some of the related expenses.
What Comes Next
Alluin is listed on the City Clerk's election page as a candidate for City Representative District 8 in the November 3 general election. Under Texas Ethics Commission guidance, anyone who believes his filings crossed a legal line would need to pursue a sworn complaint with the commission or seek review by local prosecutors for any potential enforcement action.
For now, Alluin's campaign says the report has been corrected and that he stands by his explanation of how the money moved. Questions about transparency often follow candidates who spend at businesses they control, and whether this situation becomes more than a paperwork controversy will depend on any complaints that are filed, further document review, and decisions by state or local authorities.
