BROWNSVILLE - A judge sentenced former district
judge Abel Limas to six years in prison for one count of racketeering. Limas was
also ordered to forfeit $257,000 in property he owns and pay more than $6
million in restitution.
Limas was the focus of a corruption case at the
Cameron County courthouse. He pleaded guilty more than two years ago and has
testified in four trials related to the case.
The ex-judge confessed to accepting bribes for
favorable court rulings. He also admitted to taking more than $250,000 from four
attorneys.
In court today, his defense attorney said Limas was
rehabilitated and did everything asked of him. Limas apologized for embarrassing
the judiciary system and his family.
He left the courthouse without any comment about
his sentence.
Former Cameron County district attorney Yolando De
Leon called the outcome "a good recognition of the damage done to many, many
people, many institutions."
But Limas' attorney Chip Lews said, "I think it's
exorbitant. Given all the assistance Abel Limas gave the federal government, one
would expect a lighter sentence."
The former judge will report to federal prison in a
couple of months. Until then, he is a free man.
Full Article and Source:
Ex-District Judge Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison
4 comments:
Six years is not enough.
Bribes...I just wonder how many judges are on the take, successfully.
He certainly is having the kitchen sink thrown at him, and I'm happy to see that, but it seems like the judge should be throwing the refrigerator at him too.
His attorney said that he had been rehabilitated...because he did all that was asked of him. That does not mean he has been rehabilitated. Only reason he did all that was asked hoping he would get a lighter sentence.
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