KRGV.com

Tagged News

• Prosecutors Rest Their Case in Corruption Trial Play Video

  May 22, 2013 12:46 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - Federal prosecutors rested their case in the corruption trial of the former Cameron County district attorney. Armando Villalobos is charged with several counts of racketeering and bribery. The charges are in connection to an FBI investigation into legal corruption involving former district judge Abel Limas. Defense... more »

• Former Judge Testifies in Corruption Case Play Video

  May 14, 2013 4:29 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - Former state District Judge Abel Limas finished a second day of testimony in the trial against former Cameron County District Attorney Armando Villalobos. Villalobos is being tried on charges of racketeering and bribery. Limas on Tuesday drew fire from defense attorneys. They asked the former judge... more »

• Testimony Continues in Villalobos' Corruption Trial Play Video

  May 13, 2013 4:28 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - Cross examination is underway in the corruption case against former Cameron County District Attorney Armando Villalobos. He's charged with several counts of racketeering and extortion. Opening arguments were given this morning, and the first witnesses took the stand. Prosecutors claim Villalobos abused his office through bribery,... more »

• Testimony Begins in ex-District Attorney's Trial Play Video

  May 13, 2013 1:02 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - Testimony started in the corruption case against ex-Cameron County district attorney Armando Villalobos. He's charged with several counts of racketeering and extortion. Opening arguments were given this morning, and the first witnesses took the stand. Prosecutors claim Villalobos abused his office through bribery, extortion and favoritism.... more »

• Court Orders Marchan Conviction Vacated Play Video

  March 26, 2013 5:21 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - A federal court of appeals has ordered a circuit court to vacate the conviction against former attorney Ray Marchan. The case was under appeal and prosecution was still pending. Marchan's death makes prosecution impossible, thus the order to vacate, court records show. Marchan was convicted in... more »

• Autopsy Ordered for Ray Marchan Play Video

  March 1, 2013 1:02 PM

  PORT ISABEL - An autopsy was ordered for Ray Marchan. The attorney's body was found in the Laguna Madre yesterday afternoon. A taxi driver told CHANNEL 5 NEWS he took Marchan to the highest point of the Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway around 4 a.m. and Marchan jumped from the... more »

• Family Speaks About Marchan's Death Play Video

  February 28, 2013 10:31 PM

  PORT ISABEL - The family of a former attorney who jumped into the waters of the Laguna Madre spoke about the days leading up to his death. Attorney Ray Marchan had been convicted on charges stemming from the former state District Judge Abel Limas corruption case. Crews searched... more »

• Rosenthal Guilty of Racketeering Play Video

  February 28, 2013 10:23 PM

  CORPUS CHRISTI (AP) - A jury on Thursday convicted an Austin personal injury attorney of racketeering charges as part of a federal investigation into judicial bribery. The verdict announced in Corpus Christi concluded the four-week trial of lawyer Marc Rosenthal. Rosenthal was found guilty of 13 counts including racketeering conspiracy,... more »

• Final Witnesses Being Called in Judicial Corruption Case Play Video

  February 26, 2013 1:12 PM

  CORPUS CHRISTI - The trial of an Austin attorney facing racketeering charges is expected to go to the jury later today. Marc Rosenthal is accused of bribing former state district judge Abel Limas. Rosenthals' lawyers rested their case yesterday in Corpus Christi. Prosecutors are calling final witnesses to... more »

• Judge Revokes Rosenthal's Bond Play Video

  February 8, 2013 5:37 PM

  BROWNSVILLE (AP) - A federal judge has revoked the bond of an Austin lawyer standing trial on racketeering charges in Corpus Christi. At a hearing in Brownsville on Friday, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen ordered Marc Rosenthal jailed for violating terms of his release. Prosecutors told Hanen that Rosenthal had... more »

• Jury Selected for Rosenthal's Trial Play Video

  January 31, 2013 5:29 PM

  CORPUS CHRISTI - A jury has been selected for a trial linked to the former state district Judge Abel Limas corruption scandal. Marc Rosenthal will be the second defendant tried in the case. The trial is set to begin Monday in a Corpus Christi courtroom. Rosenthal was indicted... more »

• Lawyer's Bribery Trial Moved to Corpus Christi Play Video

  December 19, 2012 1:01 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - A trial connected to a bribery scheme involving a former state district judge is moving outside the Rio Grande Valley. The case against lawyer Marc Rosenthal of Austin is heading to Corpus Christi. Rosenthal was indicted on 13 counts of bribery more than a year ago. He's accused... more »

• Sentencing Delayed for Attorney Convicted in Bribery Scheme Play Video

  August 24, 2012 1:00 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - Sentencing for an attorney convicted in a bribery scandal has been rescheduled. Ray Marchan was convicted on seven counts of bribery and racketeering in late June. Prosecutors said he gave money to then-state district judge Abel Limas for favorable rulings and special treatment. Limas testified against Marchan.... more »

• Rosenthal Claims Feds Violated Law Play Video

  July 25, 2012 7:07 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - A personal injury lawyer from Austin implicated in a corruption scandal will file a complaint alleging prosecutors violate attorney-client privileges. Marc Rosenthal was indicted last summer on 13 counts of bribery as part of former state District Judge Abel Limas' corruption investigation. Rosenthal is accused to paying... more »

• Rosenthal Seeks Change of Venue Play Video

  July 24, 2012 4:38 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - Attorneys for a man implicated in a corruption scandal are asking for a change of venue. Lawyers for Marc Rosenthal, a personal injury attorney from Austin, claim negative publicity by local media will not allow their client to get a fair trial. They want his court case... more »

• Indicted Attorney's Trial Moved to February Play Video

  July 18, 2012 10:14 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - A Brownsville federal judge delayed the trial for a personal injury attorney indicted in connection with a bribery scheme. Defense attorneys for Austin lawyer Marc Rosenthal claimed they weren't getting documents needed to prepare for a trial. The case has now been set for February. In... more »

• Former Bailiff to Report to Federal Prison Play Video

  July 17, 2012 3:59 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - A former bailiff involved in the corruption scandal of ex-state District Judge Abel Limas will report to prison next week. Jaime Munivez was sentenced in late May to one year and one day in prison for his part in the extortion ploy, court records show. Munivez... more »

• Attorney in Limas Case Surrenders License Play Video

  July 6, 2012 5:22 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - An attorney linked to the State District Judge Abel Limas bribery scandal surrendered his license last week to the Texas Supreme Court. Joe Valle is serving a one-year prison sentence after he pleaded guilty for accepting a loan advance and bribing Limas for a favorable appointment. ... more »

• Court Ruling Could Affect Cases Heard by Limas Play Video

  June 22, 2012 6:53 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - Hundreds of court rulings could be called into question after the Texas Supreme Court overturned a civil case heard by former state District Judge Abel Limas. The case stems from a 2008 campaign ad published in two local newspapers. Four men claimed the display was libelous, and... more »

• Texas Supreme Court Overturns Decision Against Valley Newspapers Play Video

  June 22, 2012 12:49 PM

  AUSTIN (AP) - The Texas Supreme Court has overturned a libel judgment against two Rio Grande Valley newspapers because the trial judge in the case admitted to taking bribes. Four men sued the Brownsville Herald and the Valley Morning Star over a 2008 campaign ad for Cameron County district attorney.... more »

• Limas' Associate Gets 10 Years

  June 19, 2012 4:06 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - Jose Manuel "Meme" Longoria, the convicted middleman in a corruption scandal in Cameron County, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Longoria, 52, was sentenced for his role in the FBI's public corruption investigation of former 404th District Court Judge Abel Corral Limas. Longoria, a resident... more »

• Villalobos Wants Charges Dropped Play Video

  June 19, 2012 1:13 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - Cameron County District Attorney Armando Villalobos on Friday filed a petition to have charges against him dropped. The criminal case against Armando Villalobos stems from former state District Judge Abel Limas' corruption case. Villalobos is facing charges of running a criminal enterprise, bribery, extortion, racketeering, honest... more »

• Alleged Middleman in Corruption Scandal Files to Withdraw Plea Deal

  June 19, 2012 12:12 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - The alleged middleman in a corruption scandal involving a former state district judge has filed a motion to withdraw his plea agreement. According to the court documents filed, Jose Manuel Longoria is not withdrawing his guilty plea, only his plea agreement with the government. Last year, Longoria... more »

• Marchan Guilty on All Charges Play Video

  June 18, 2012 4:05 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - A Port Isabel attorney accused of paying kickbacks to a former state district judge was convicted Monday on seven charges stemming from a corruption investigation in Brownsville. A jury found Ray Marchan guilty on all seven charges he faced. He is the first of 12 people named... more »

• Jury Convicts Ray Marchan

  June 18, 2012 2:45 PM

  BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) - An attorney accused of paying kickbacks to former state District Judge Abel Limas has been convicted in the first trial stemming from a four-year federal investigation into judicial corruption in Brownsville. Jurors on Monday found Port Isabel lawyer Ray Marchan guilty of all seven counts he... more »

• Closing Arguments Continue in Marchan Case Play Video

  June 15, 2012 4:25 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - Closing arguments continue in the trail of attorney Ray Marchan of Port Isabel. The case could go to the jury as early as today. Marchan is charged with seven counts of racketeering and conspiracy. Prosecutors claim he paid more than $11,000 in bribes to former State... more »

• Closing Arguments Expected in Bribery Case Play Video

  June 15, 2012 12:38 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - Closing arguments are expected today in the bribery case involving Brownsville attorney Ray Marchan. He's charged with racketeering and conspiracy. Former state district judge Abel Limas testified in the trial against Marchan. Prosecutors say Marchan paid more than $11,000 dollars in bribes to Limas. Limas told jurors... more »

• Judge Testifies About Accepting Bribes Play Video

  June 7, 2012 5:04 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - A former state district judge testified he accepted bribes. Abel Limas has been out of the limelight since he pleaded guilty to racketeering last year. Today he was the key witness in the case against Ray Marchan, an attorney from Port Isabel. Marchan is accused of bribing... more »

• Limas Says Marchan Paid Kickbacks Play Video

  June 7, 2012 12:50 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - Former State District Judge Abel Limas took the stand today and told jurors Port Isabel attorney Ray Marchan paid him kickbacks for court-appointed cases. Prosecutors claim Marchan paid more than $11,000 in bribes to Limas. Marchan is charged with racketeering and conspiracy. Limas admitted to the... more »

• Testimony Begins in Marchan Trial Play Video

  June 5, 2012 12:15 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - Testimony began today in the racketeering and conspiracy trial of attorney Ray Marchan of Port Isabel. Marchan is accused of paying more than $11,000 to former State District Judge Abel Limas in exchange for favorable rulings. Marchan claims the money was given to the judge as... more »

• Jury Selection Begins in Bribery Case Play Video

  June 4, 2012 1:01 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - Jury selection will begin this afternoon in Brownsville in the federal trial of attorney Ray Marchan of Port Isabel. Marchan is accused of racketeering and conspiracy. Prosecutors claim he paid more than $11,000 in bribes to former state district judge Abel Limas in exchange for favorable rulings.... more »

• Former Cameron County DA Investigator Sentenced

  May 30, 2012 5:16 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - A former investigator for the Cameron County District Attorney's Office was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison. Jaime Munivez was convicted in connection to a bribery scheme involving a former state district judge. The sentence was announced almost six months after Muniz pleaded... more »

• Attorney in Corruption Case to Report to Prison Play Video

  May 16, 2012 5:29 PM

  HARLINGEN - An attorney convicted in the Abel Limas corruption has been ordered to report to federal prison next month. Joe Valle of Harlingen is to report to the facility in Bastrop on June 7. Valle confessed to bribing former state district judge Abel Limas and receiving money for... more »

• Cameron County DA Named in 12-Count Indictment Play Video

  May 7, 2012 5:50 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - The Cameron County district attorney has been named in a 12-count federal indictment. The criminal case against Armando Villalobos stems from the Abel Limas corruption case. Limas is a former state district judge accused of accepting bribes. Villalobos is facing charges of running a criminal enterprise,... more »

• Cameron County DA Indicted Play Video

  May 7, 2012 12:22 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - Cameron County District Attorney Armando Villalobos and his former law partner have been indicted in connection with the Abel Limas bribery scheme. Limas is a former state district judge accused of accepting bribes. A grand jury indicted the two earlier today. Villalobos is now in the custody... more »

• Lawyer: Ex-State Representative Taking Responsibility for Allegations Play Video

  May 3, 2012 7:09 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - A former state representative from Harlingen lost his license to practice law this week. Jim Solis was disbarred after he pleaded guilty in an extortion and bribery case against a district judge. His lawyer says he agreed to give up his law license. He didn't have much... more »

• Corpus Christi Man Sentenced to 27 Months for Role in Bribing Former Judge Play Video

  March 6, 2012 1:02 PM

  CAMERON COUNTY - A Corpus Christi man was sentenced for his role in bribing former Cameron County Judge Abel Limas. Armando Pena will spend 27 months in federal prison. He confessed to bribing Limas with $1,800 four years ago. Pena wanted Limas to change the terms of his probation... more »

• Bail Bondsman Sentenced to 16 Months for Bribing Judge Play Video

  February 14, 2012 12:56 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - A Cameron County bail bondsman who admitted to bribing a judge is sentenced to 16 months in a federal prison. Francisco Cisneros was sentenced in federal court Tuesday morning in Brownsville. He pleaded guilty back in August to aiding and abetting extortion. He admitted to paying... more »

• Bail Bondsman in Limas Corruption Case Sentenced

  February 14, 2012 11:46 AM

  BROWNSVILLE - Francisco Cisneros, a bail bondsman who admitted to bribing ex-state judge Abel Limas, was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison. He was also ordered to pay a $2,500 fine and serve a three-year-term of supervised release upon completing his prison term. In August, the 47-year-old entered... more »

• Man Convicted of Murder 5 Years Ago Still Missing Play Video

  February 6, 2012 9:44 AM

  BROWNSVILLE - This week marks five years since a man convicted of murder walked out of a Cameron County courtroom and disappeared. Amit Livingston remains on Cameron County's Most Wanted List. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison for the murder of Hermenia Hernandez in 2005. Judge... more »

• Trial for Defendant in Limas Corruption Trial Delayed Play Video

  January 31, 2012 7:01 PM

  A defendant in the Abel Limas corruption case won't go to trial this week. Ray Marchan is accused of giving Limas $11,000 in bribes in exchange for favorable rulings from former Limas. The former state district judge pleaded guilty last year in his racketeering case. Marchan is asking... more »

• Another Person in Limas Corruption Case to Plead Guilty

  November 29, 2011 9:53 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - Another person involved with the Limas corruption scandal will plead out. Forty-seven-year-old Jaime Munivez is accused of getting $10,000 in exchange for providing a fraudulent drug forfeiture document. Federal prosecutors say he did that when he worked for the Cameron County District Attorney's Office three years ago. Investigators... more »