A resident of Frisco, Texas, has sparked significant social media attention by posting a video from a recent city council meeting where he directly questioned Mayor Jeff Cheney about his campaign donations from individuals of Indian origin. This incident occurs during a week when the topic of Indian immigrants in Texas has become particularly contentious, following attorney Aaron Reitz's controversial statements labeling Indians as "unassimilable" during his campaign for Texas Attorney General.
Whistleblower Raises Concerns About Indian Influence
Marc Palasciano, who identifies himself as a whistleblower, addressed the council with claims about what he described as an "Indian takeover in Frisco and H-1B fraud." Drawing parallels to alleged Somalian fraud cases in Minnesota, Palasciano presented startling demographic statistics, noting that Frisco's Indian population has grown by an astonishing 4,510% over the past two decades.
Campaign Donation Patterns Questioned
"From representing just 2% of the population to now comprising 33%, the growth has been exponential," Palasciano stated. "But what's more concerning are the campaign donation patterns. In 2021, only 10% of donations exceeding $1,000 came from individuals with Indian last names. By 2023, that figure had skyrocketed to 55%—a 450% increase that raises serious red flags about potential influence."
The resident then posed direct questions to Mayor Cheney and the city council, acknowledging he didn't expect immediate answers but wanted to put the concerns on public record. "Mayor Cheney, why did four of your top donors in 2023—all Indian individuals—contribute $5,000 each despite not residing in Frisco or even Collin County?" he inquired, suggesting these contributions might indicate reciprocal arrangements.
Real Estate Connections Examined
Palasciano further questioned the motivations behind such donations. "I struggle to understand why someone would financially support a mayor who doesn't represent their district, unless that mayor advances business interests that benefit them financially. It seems more than coincidental that all involved parties are engaged in real estate ventures, with those four donors collectively owning over 158 registered businesses."
Council Member's Associations Scrutinized
The questioning extended to Burt Thakur, Frisco's first city council member of Indian origin. Palasciano challenged Thakur about his association with a consulting firm whose CEO, he alleged, had been convicted of fraud. "Why does one of your primary donors include an Indian real estate professional from North Texas who doesn't live in Frisco? Why does another major donor consist of a white Dallas resident also involved in real estate?"
H-1B Visa Employment Practices Highlighted
Palasciano raised additional concerns about employment practices, noting that one donor operates four companies that hire H-1B visa employees, while another has 23 H-1B companies registered at a single address. "I'll conclude my questions here," he stated. "We'll observe whether constituents or media outlets apply sufficient pressure to compel answers to these legitimate concerns."
This confrontation occurs against a backdrop of heightened political tension surrounding immigration and foreign investment in Texas, particularly as electoral campaigns intensify and demographic shifts continue to reshape communities across the state.
