UMVA has learned that a Democratic congressman has been embroiled in a shocking scandal that raises serious questions about his personal life and judgment.
Rep. Gabe Vasquez, a Democrat from New Mexico, was found to have participated in a lavish, symbolic wedding ceremony in Mexico, complete with a fake fiancée, Maria Fatima Batres, a teacher. The ceremony, held at the Akiin Beach Tulum Weddings venue, was attended by friends and family, who shared photos on social media under the hashtag #OnCloudVasquez.
The elaborate event, which reportedly cost between $30,000 and $90,000, was a carefully constructed illusion. Vasquez listed Batres as his fiancée on official paperwork while serving as a city councilman, and photos of the couple appeared online, including one holding what appeared to be a marriage license. However, there are no legal records of a marriage or divorce between the two.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Vasquez's campaign spokesperson attempted to downplay the situation, stating that the couple had participated in a "private commitment ceremony" but were never legally married and eventually separated. However, this explanation only raises more questions about Vasquez's judgment and integrity.
Vasquez is now engaged to Nikki Santos, a divorced woman with ties to the Democratic Party. Santos, a Biden-era political appointee, previously worked at the Center for Native American Youth, connected to the Aspen Institute. Her relationship with Vasquez has sparked concerns, particularly regarding her divorce proceedings and potential cover-ups.
Santos appeared on Vasquez's 2023 FEC report, was reimbursed for a rental car, and was linked to a $300 campaign dinner in Washington. By Thanksgiving 2021, she had already referred to Vasquez as part of her family in a social media post. The timeline of her divorce proceedings and her departure from the Aspen Institute have raised red flags, with some suggesting a potential cover-up.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Santos took a lengthy leave from the Center for Native American Youth and the Aspen Institute, sparking rumors of a cover-up. The circumstances surrounding her departure and her relationship with Vasquez demand further scrutiny, and the public deserves answers about the congressman's judgment and integrity.
