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Thursday, August 28, 2008
Metro Court Corruption Trial Oct. 28
By Journal Staff Report
The multi-defendant public corruption case stemming from the construction of the Metropolitan Court will begin trial Oct. 28, according to an order issued this week by U.S. District Judge William "Chip" Johnson.
The trial time is estimated at 6-8 weeks.
Former Metro Court administrator Toby Martinez, his wife Sandra Mata Martinez, engineer Raul Parra, former state Sen. Manny Aragon and contractor Michael Murphy are charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering.
Prosecutors allege that the defendants collectively skimmed $4.2 million from the $83 million courthouse construction project through inflated invoices. Payments based on false vouchers were made to Design Collaborative Southwest, the architectural firm, or by inflating contracts for installation of audiovisual equipment.
As the case has progressed from the initial March 2007 indictment, Johnson has ruled that evidence of similar conduct from other construction projects, including the Metropolitan Detention Center, can be presented at trial to show motive, intent or common scheme or plan.