Ex-State representative pleads guilty to extortion
Solis admits paying S. Texas state judge for favorable rulings.By Lynn Brezosky - Express-News
BROWNSVILLE — Former seven-term state Rep. Jose Santiago “Jim” Solis pleaded guilty to extortion in federal court Friday, admitting he paid then-state Judge Abel Limas thousands of dollars for favorable court rulings.
Solis, 47, forfeited $250,000 as part of a plea agreement and was released on a $50,000 unsecured bond. He faces up to 20 years in prison plus fines at his Aug. 1 sentencing.
Limas on March 31 pleaded guilty to charges in a 17-page indictment, admitting his 404th District Court was a shady, cash-generating enterprise, with rulings for sale on matters ranging from probation to bond terms.
