Federal Grand Jury Indictment Unsealed Today Charging El Paso Attorney Luther Jones and District Clerk Gilbert Sanchez

John E. Murphy, Acting United States Attorney and FBI Special Agent in Charge David Cuthbertson announced the unsealing of a federal grand jury indictment against El Paso attorney Luther Jones and El Paso County District Clerk Gilbert Sanchez for scheming to deprive El Paso County and it’s citizens of the right to the honest services of elected members of the El Paso County Commissioner’s Court.

The five-count indictment charges Jones and Sanchez with one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and deprivation of honest services, conspiracy to commit mail fraud and deprivation of honest services, mail fraud and bribery.

The indictment alleges that from October 2003 until July 2004, Jones and Sanchez conspired with others in a scheme to secure a multimillion dollar document imaging contract between El Paso County and one of Luther Jones’ clients. Specifically, the indictment alleges that Jones offered bribes in the form of cash, travel expenses to Las Vegas and gratuities to Sanchez, which Sanchez accepted, for his support of the contract and influence in his official capacity as an elected public servant. The indictment also alleges that Sanchez directed another county employee, with assistance from Jones, to structure a Request for Proposal (RFP) with limitations embedded in the RFP that would assist Jones’ client in securing the contract. Furthermore, the indictment alleges that Jones caused cash bribes in the form of campaign contributions be paid to a member of the El Paso County Commissioners Court for support in securing the multimillion dollar vendor contract for his client.

Each fraud count carries up to 20 years imprisonment; each bribery count is punishable by imprisonment for up to 10 years.

FBI Special Agent in Charge David Cuthbertson said, “The indictment unsealed today demonstrates the FBI's commitment to the investigation of public corruption in El Paso. The conduct alleged in the indictment provides an illustration of how a core group of influential individuals attempted to subvert governmental procurement processes for their own personal gain. Sabotage of legal procurement processes wastes scarce taxpayer dollars, and it frustrates the efforts of honest prospective vendors who attempt to secure government contracts legitimately.”

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted for the government by Assistant United States Attorneys Laura Gregory and Antonio Franco.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.