El Paso county to restart $18M civil RICO suit [El Paso Times, Texas]
By Marty Schladen, El Paso Times, Texas | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The county's attorneys are pursuing a case that seeks to collect as much of the money as possible from attorney
U.S. District Judge
Several developers, whom the county had accused of paying Flores in 2007 to support selling them land for less than it was worth, have been dropped from the suit. The developers, who admit no wrongdoing, settled the case in 2010, after paying the county
Also in 2010, the county dismissed its suit against local lawyer and former County Commissioner
says.
The county is suing Jones, Escobar and Flores over four separate matters:
-- Catalina development: A 304-acre parcel east of
The developers "have adamantly denied any and all alleged liability or wrongdoing, and whereas the county maintains its claims were brought for the benefit of its citizens and in good faith..." the
-- 15-minute lawsuit: The county claims that Flores in 2004 was paid for her vote to settle a 2002 lawsuit over overtime pay that was filed by Jobe on behalf of the
-- Extra pay for sheriff's employees: The suit says that in exchange for free legal representation by
-- County digitization contract: The lawsuit claims that Flores received a
Since the suit is filed under the federal Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations law, it's entitled to treble damages -- or
Flores pleaded guilty in
Jones was convicted in 2011 of attempting to rig the digitization contract. Jones was sentenced to six years in prison.
Jones and Escobar also pleaded guilty last year to their roles in a scheme to corruptly steer
___
(c)2013 the El Paso Times (El Paso, Texas)
Visit the El Paso Times (El Paso, Texas) at www.elpasotimes.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Wordcount: | 692 |
Cooper, Claridge-Ware Limited Announces New Hires
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News