Nov 16 (Reuters) - A New York lawyer on Thursday pleaded guilty to criminal charges that he bribed a federal court employee for more than decade in exchange for client referrals.
Telesforo Del Valle, 65, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy, bribery, paying illegal compensation to a court employee, and making material false statements to law enforcement to conceal his crimes. His trial had been set to begin on Dec. 4.
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He potentially faces up to 15 years in prison. His sentencing has been scheduled for March 12, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said Del Valle gave "at least tens of thousands of dollars" in payments to Dionisio Figueroa, who allegedly used his position as a clerk in the Southern District of New York court to encourage criminal defendants to hire Del Valle instead of using free, court-appointed counsel.
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"The public relies on attorneys and court employees to maintain and validate its faith in our criminal justice system," Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement. Del Valle betrayed that trust, he added.
Del Valle's lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Figueroa, 66, was also charged and is still scheduled to go to trial on Dec. 4, according to federal court records.
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"Mr. Del Valle has great lawyers, and I am sure his own reasons for pleading guilty just as Mr. Figueroa has his reasons for vigorously pursuing his...
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