Gandara gets 10-year suspended prison sentence

A jury gave former Socorro City Councilman Jesus “Jesse” Gandara a 10-year suspended prison sentence.

The 34-year-old was convicted yesterday of second degree felony bribery and faced two to 20 years in prison, with probation also as a possibility. He was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.

The state called no witnesses during the penalty phase, however the defense called a total of 10 people to testify, including Gandara’s mother, wife, sister and daughter.

Gandara was convicted Wednesday after less than 90 minutes of deliberation of trying to bribe the owners of San Elizario’s popular Licon Dairy in 2013 to support a controversial annexation plan by Socorro.

On Thursday, Gandara’s mother, Juanita, was the first to testify on his behalf. Gandara showed the most emotion he had during the entire trial as his mother took the stand, covering his face and eyes with his hands and refusing to look at her. She said she was proud of him and said if you asked people on the streets of Socorro, they woold be proud of him, too.

Next up was his wife, Michelle, whom he has been married to for 14 years and with whom he has five children. She cried as she talked about his close relationship with his children.

Gandara’s oldest child, 14-year-old Rebecca, 14, an eighth-grader, also took the stand. She cried as she spoke of her father, saying at one point, “My dad is a man of honor and pride. So even with all of this stuff going on, He’s still my hero. I still love him no matter what.”

Gandara’s 28-year-old sister, Elizabeth de los santos, asked for leniency from the jury, saying, “We talk about politicians and how they are self-centered and corrupt. Never once did my brother ever take money for himself. There is no Swiss bank account.”

Gandara’s attorney — a public defender — indicated Gandara himself would testify during the penalty phase of the trial after opting not to testify earlier. however, gandara decided again, last minute, not to testify.