The call came into Cameron County's legal counsel even before the office had opened.
It was Cameron County District Clerk Aurora de la Garza asking one of the attorneys if he had looked at the newspaper coverage of Austin attorney Marc Rosenthal's bond hearing.
The flamboyant lawyer who once drove up to a political gathering in a Lamborghini worth several 100s of thousands of dollars and who co
nvicted 404th District Court Judge Abel Limas told federal prosecutors had sent him three checks of $50,000, $50,000 and $85,000 at one time was claiming penury through his local attorney Ernesto Gamez.
What had Aurorita worried was that part of the federal indictment also included charges that convicted attorney and former state representative Jim Solis and others "at Rosenthal's direction, arranged to manipulate the random case assignment system at the Cameron County District Clerk's office so that cases were filed in courts they preferred and that witnesses were paid to provide false testimony and statements."Now Aurora was asking the county's legal counsel to provide "guidance" on how to deal with the tightening noose cast by the indictments field against Limas, Solis and now, Rosenthal, the Big Fish.
It was Cameron County District Clerk Aurora de la Garza asking one of the attorneys if he had looked at the newspaper coverage of Austin attorney Marc Rosenthal's bond hearing.
The flamboyant lawyer who once drove up to a political gathering in a Lamborghini worth several 100s of thousands of dollars and who co
nvicted 404th District Court Judge Abel Limas told federal prosecutors had sent him three checks of $50,000, $50,000 and $85,000 at one time was claiming penury through his local attorney Ernesto Gamez.
What had Aurorita worried was that part of the federal indictment also included charges that convicted attorney and former state representative Jim Solis and others "at Rosenthal's direction, arranged to manipulate the random case assignment system at the Cameron County District Clerk's office so that cases were filed in courts they preferred and that witnesses were paid to provide false testimony and statements."Now Aurora was asking the county's legal counsel to provide "guidance" on how to deal with the tightening noose cast by the indictments field against Limas, Solis and now, Rosenthal, the Big Fish.
"Where are all those big-shot attorney friends who only too gladly contributed to her campaigns in the past?" asked a county staffer. "Surely they are thankful for her service to the county."
If the federal indictment is correct, some lawyers knew that if they pulled the right levers and reached out and touched the right people in her office, their cases would get funneled to a friendly judge, in this case, Limas.
More pointedly, the case that involved her son Joey, convicted of stealing more than $85,000 from the hospice in Olmito, also landed suddenly in Limas' court. The arraignment, trial and sentence took place all in one afternoon and Joey didn't spend one night in jail.
Part of the sentencing conditions was that he pay restitution. At the time everyone asked: "Where did that money come from?"
And just as Aurora suddenly finds herself "hanging in the wind," Rosenthal, who is being sued for his part of the $14 million settlement for a helicopter crash in the Laguna Madre, now claims he "hasn't a farthing."
"Does Gamez really expect us to believe that this high-powered lawyer who has given thousands in contributions to half of the office holders in the county suddenly is broke?," asked an incredulous attorney. "I imagine that the retainer he paid Ernesto to represent him in court easily dwarfs that amount. Neto didn't become a rich man working pro bono."
Local observers expect that more indictments will follow as the little guys perceive that protecting others will do them no good as corroborating evidence of forum shopping (for a slight fee?) and bending of the rules for favors that has been exposed in the Limas debacle trudges inexorably to its sordid conclusion.
11 comments:
Maclovio says, "Uuuuuuuyyyyyyy!
Have noticed that the local judges and attorneys are closing ranks due to the "Disable" Limas case. Most Democrats know how corrupt the system is, but are afraid they will be caught in the federal web. Hopefully the feds are investigating Aurora de la Garza, Armando Villalobos and even Sheriff Omar Lucio. Then too, maybe they should investigate the Sanchez brothers who shared the plane rides and Spurs tickets and Las Vegas jaunts with "Disable" Limas. The Cameron County Democratic Party is infested with corruption. Hopefully the feds will fumigate, because the local voters seem to prefer corruption over good government (whatever that is).
I hope there is enought evidence to have that ugly fat woman indicted, at the local eateries, comments from flying all over the tables, about cases ending in favorable courts, if you had the right connections.
Sounds kind of weird, but now that her son's problems were solve in one afternoon, well things look fishy.
The Ernie Hernandez clan is doing everything possible to cleanse themselves. It doesn't look good, Ernie, your crazy ass days of getting away with shit, are coming to an end.
In the SAn ANtonio ExpressNews the lawyer for Marc R. blame everything in Jimmie Solis, he called him a rogue lawyer.
NOw that the snooze is tighting, everybody is innocent. Cameron County has been known for it's corruption.
The Sherrif is asleep, the DA is non-existent, the judges turn their face the other way.
The DA goes after the working man with vengence, on the other hand if you know someone or have a little influence, you can get away with murder.
Maclovio says, "Rohhhhhhh-sieeeee (Sotelo)! You have some 'splainin' to do!!!!!"
Mac, she will squeal if you tightened the rope, they will squeal, even Aurora De La Garza. Maybe she will loose some weigth.
I have the answer to your question Aurora regarding the guidance your requesting from legal counsel. RESIGN! I think that many people now agree with us voters that your should resign before this circus continues to get out of hand and you embarrass this county more. I believe that is county has become another Duval County. Remember who was also the prosecutor who really had the balls to bring all those elected officials to justice in Duval County? Judge Darrell Hester. Remember him Aurora? What would you think Hester would tell you if he was still alive? He would be very dissappointed with you and your office. Right now Judge Hester is turning and tossing in his grave. I also wonder much these attorneys contributed to your campaign. I requested copies of your campaign reports and will be posting them later but I did see that Ray Marchan, Jim Solis, Mark Rosenthal did contribute over $10,000 to your campaign. For what? You didnt even have an opponent. We voters know that alot of that money went to pay your son Joey de la Garza's restitution of over $85,000 he stole from Sunshine Haven. In case you didnt know, your finance reports are public record and anyone from the public can request copies. You have alot of expaining to do. I wouldnt be surprised if your end up getting indicted like former Hidalgo County District Clerk Pauline Gonzalez for assigning cases to a particular court and back dating documents. But in your case its the F.B.I. and the feds that are handling the case and not our incompetent D.A. Villalobos. Shame on you Aurora. Resign before the whole story comes to light and the attorneys start making statements to the feds against you.
Is this woman for real? All calls are being monitored by the Feds. Hello? You are next. Pack your bags. There are no friends when your friends are making plea deals.I can't wait to see who you implicate in your plea.
Aurora's face looks like it was made up for a Batman movie. Is she trying to look like Jack Nicholson...the Joker. She is just as evil as any Batman character and she looks the part. Maybe I was thinking of the Penguin.
Gamez shouldn't even be representing Rosenthal??? Gamez has questionable incidences like the rest??? Gamez was shacking up with an eight liner operator who paid a State Rep to get her off the charges??? The same charges that were dismissed by the DA's Office???
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