Judge convicted in justice for money and sex scandal Corruption continues within the criminal justice system

Judge convicted in justice for money and sex scandal
February 6, 4:11 PMLaw Enforcement ExaminerJim Kouri


Corruption continues within the criminal justice system.
Photo credit: Police Times
A federal jury in Texas yesterday found an El Paso Criminal District Court judge guilty of charges related to a bribery scheme that including soliciting and accepting cash and sex, according to a report obtained by the National Association of Chiefs of Police.
The jury convicted Judge Manuel Joseph Barraza, aka Manny Barraza, of two counts of wire fraud and the deprivation of honest services and one count of making false statements. The jury acquitted Barraza of one count of mail fraud.
Evidence presented during trial revealed that beginning on or about December 2008 and continuing and including February 26, 2009, Barraza solicited, agreed to accept, and accepted bribes in the form of cash money.
According to court documents, he also solicited sex and agreed to accept a bribe of engaging in sexual activity with women. These acts were all committed in exchange for his influence and exercise of discretion in his official capacity as an elected judge.
In carrying out his bribery scheme, Judge Barraza promised to intervene in a felony criminal case filed by the State of Texas pending in state district court in order to influence the outcome of the case.
Barraza, who remains on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each of the two fraud counts, and up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the false statements charge.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 28, 2010, before United States District Judge Frank Montalvo. At sentencing, Judge Montalvo is expected to enter a judgement of criminal forfeiture against Barraza, who today agreed to forfeit to the Government the bribe money he received -- $5,100.

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