State
Sentencing for Texas lawyer in judicial kickbacks
Posted: Dec 6, 2012 2:01 AM
Updated: Dec 6, 2012 2:03 AM
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) A prominent South Texas attorney is to be sentenced for paying kickbacks to a judge who turned his courtroom into a moneymaking operation.
Ray Marchan was convicted in June on seven counts, one of which for mail fraud that a judge overturned earlier this week. Marchan was the first of a dozen suspects swept up in a four-year investigation of former state District Judge Abel Limas to go to trial in Brownsville. Limas has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
Prosecutors accused Marchan of paying Limas more than $11,000 in 2008 in exchange for appointments and favorable decisions. Marchan's defense argued he was just loaning money to a friend.
Marchan has remained free on bond while awaiting sentencing. He could face up to 20 years in prison for each count.
