Charges
Include Conspiracy, RICO, Bribery, Extortion, and Honest Services Fraud
Western District of Texas United States
Attorney Robert Pitman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez, San
Antonio Division, announced the arrests of and a federal grand jury indictment
charging Cameron County and District Attorney Armando Villalobos and attorney
Eduardo “Eddie” Lucio in connection with a bribery and extortion scheme.
The 12-count indictment, returned this
morning by a federal grand jury in Brownsville, Texas, charges the defendants
with one count of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations
(RICO) Act and one count of conspiracy to violate the RICO Act. In addition,
Villalobos is charged with seven counts of extortion and three counts of honest
services fraud; Lucio, three counts of extortion and two counts of honest
services fraud.
According to the indictment, from
October 2, 2006 through May 3, 2012, the defendants were involved in a scheme
to illegally generate income for themselves and others through a pattern of
bribery and extortion, favoritism, improper influence, personal
self-enrichment, self-dealing, concealment, and conflict of interest. The indictment
alleges that Villalobos solicited and accepted over $100,000 in bribes and
kickbacks in the form of cash and campaign contributions from Lucio and others
in return for favorable acts of prosecutorial discretion, including minimizing
charging decisions, pre-trial diversion agreements, agreements on probationary
matters, and case dismissals. The indictment also alleges that Villalobos
solicited and arranged for private counsel, including Lucio, to handle civil
and forfeiture matters associated with criminal matters pending in the Office
of the District and County Attorney of Cameron County. The indictment further
alleges that while serving as County and District Attorney for Cameron County,
Villalobos used his executive authority as well as County property and
employees to further the illicit affairs of the criminal enterprise.
Upon conviction, Villalobos and Lucio
face up to 20 years in federal prison per count.
It is important to note that a criminal
complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.
The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This case is being investigated by the
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal
Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, and the Brownsville Police Department.
Southern District of Texas Assistant United States Attorney Michael Wynne and
Western District of Texas Assistant United States Attorney Greg Surovic are
prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
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