CULTURE OF CORRUPTION: Indicted Texas Democrat Has Close Ties to Hillary Clinton, Julian Castro. “With a reported seven-figure referral fee on a drunk-driving case, Watts gave former Mayor (and current HUD Secretary) Julián Castro the financial security to build his political career. That windfall not only allowed Castro to loan $215,000 to his successful 2009 mayoral campaign, it gave him a monetary cushion that allowed him to comfortably live on a $4,000-a-year mayor’s salary, without needing to find outside income.”