Controversy Surrounds Bobby Pulido’s Bandmate

In a surprising revelation, Bobby Pulido, a Latin Grammy Award-winning artist and Democratic candidate for the Texas House, had previously claimed he helped longtime bandmate Frankie Caballero after his conviction for sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl.

Pulido recounted to comedian José Luis Zagal that Caballero, who was serving a four-year sentence for indecent sexual contact at the time, was a talented keyboard player. “He can do anything with the accordion,” Pulido stated, though he also acknowledged that Caballero was “locked up.”

He mentioned, “I remember in the beginning, I went to get him out of jail,” yet he didn’t clarify what charges were involved. Other translators noted that the term used for “prison” could imply jail in a more casual sense, making it unclear whether Pulido’s visit took place while Caballero was incarcerated or not.

This interview has led to questions regarding Pulido’s awareness of his bandmate’s criminal history, especially as he faces scrutiny in a tight race against Republican incumbent Monica de la Cruz.

Court documents indicate that Caballero had multiple run-ins with the law from 1990 to 2000, coinciding with the peak of Pulido’s music career. Notably, Caballero served a four-year sentence in 2014 for inappropriate contact with a minor, yet he continued to perform with Pulido after his release.

Pulido is currently campaigning against de la Cruz in Texas’ 15th Congressional District. While he did not specify the charges discussed in the interview, his campaign acknowledged he was aware of Caballero’s drug issues.

A spokesperson for Pulido contended that his remarks were meant to signify the opportunity provided to Caballero, rather than implying he was directly responsible for his release from custody. The spokesperson pushed back against claims that this was a smear tactic, redirecting the focus to political issues like healthcare and rising prices.

Caballero had a history of arrests, including charges related to drug possession and sexual assault. After facing significant legal challenges, he was intermittently incarcerated but managed to maintain a musical partnership with Pulido.

In the early 1990s, Caballero was part of the band that recorded Pulido’s debut album. Despite a series of legal troubles, including a brief prison stay for theft just a few months ago, Caballero and Pulido continued to tour and collaborate musically.

Pulido’s campaign manager, Abel Prado, expressed surprise at the news of Caballero being a registered sex offender and acknowledged that Pulido was only aware of his bandmate’s struggles with addiction.

Caballero’s legal history includes a spectrum of charges over three decades, highlighting a troubled past that has overshadowed his musical career. As Pulido seeks to position himself as a caring figure, questions persist about his association with Caballero and what that could mean for his campaign.

The dynamics of this political race are heating up, particularly as internal polling shows a narrow lead for de la Cruz over Pulido, suggesting a contested fight ahead for the congressional seat.