LA CROSSE (WKBT) — On Monday, Wisconsin Democrats criticized Republican Senate candidate Eric Hovde over his bank’s alleged ties to a troubled Mexican bank.
Last week, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Banco Azteca, long tied to the Mexican drug cartel, allegedly flew $26 million in cash over the border to Hovde’s SunWest Bank last December.
On a virtual call, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler expressed concern about the possibility of other similar dealings.
“This raises questions about why Eric Hovde still isn’t being fully honest about which other foreign banks and governments are depositing money into Eric Hovde’s bank. What else is Eric Hovde hiding?” Wikler said.
Democrats clarified that they are not accusing Hovde or his bank of illegal activity, but Wikler stated that if Hovde doesn’t reveal which other foreign entities his bank has done business with, it may be difficult for Wisconsinites to trust the Senate candidate.
Hovde’s campaign responded to the allegations, with spokesman Zach Bannon releasing a statement saying, “It’s a completely made-up story with no basis in reality. Since day one, Sen. Baldwin has lied about Eric Hovde in a desperate ploy to distract voters from her extreme and radical record. It’s time for change.”