Corruption Trial: Sanchez Continues To Testify

Some interesting and perhaps damaging moments for the defense on the stand Monday morning as former District Clerk Gilbert Sanchez continued to testify in his and former County Judge Luther Jones’ federal corruption trial.

Jones is accused of conspiring with Sanchez to steer a county contract to Altep in late 2003 through 2004. Sanchez and Jones are being tried in federal court on two counts of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and deprivation of honest services.

Sanchez spent a total of about four hours on the stand, including three hours Monday morning. Things got really interesting when he was cross-examined by U.S. attorneys and possibly damaging for the defense.

Sanchez paused for several seconds before answering a majority of the questions and appeared nervous and with his answers at times.

During one moment, Sanchez was asked whether Jones wanted the scope of the Altep contract to increase because he and his law partner, Martie Jobe, would make more money.

After a lengthy pause of more than ten seconds, Sanchez answered “yes.”

Later on, the jury heard a recording of a June 7, 2004 Commissioner’s Court meeting in which Sanchez told commissioners that Altep was the best company for the job and he had already discussed that with a committee of three judges.

He was then asked by U.S. Attorney Antonio Franco, “That was an incorrect statement, wasn’t it? Sanchez answered, “yes sir.”

Franco then asked, “You were aware you were going to have to have an evaluation committee involving the judges?”

Sanchez answered, “Yes.”

Franco then said, “You said you discussed it with the judges, but they never reviewed it?”

Sanchez replied,” That is correct.”

Under a later direct examination by Jones’ attorney, Stephen Peters, Sanchez said he meant that he had discussed it with the judges in an informal setting.