Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 22, 1993 TAG: 9307220203
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SAN ANTONIO LENGTH: Short
Albert Bustamante, 58, appeared shaken as he stood and U.S. District Judge Ed Prado read the verdict. After deliberating nine hours over two days, jurors convicted Bustamante on two counts of a 10-count federal indictment.
Bustamante's wife, attorney Rebecca Bustamante, was found innocent of all seven aiding-and-abetting charges against her.
"I'm happy for my wife. She didn't deserve any of this," he said.
Bustamante could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison on the racketeering charge and up to two years in prison on the illegal gratuity charge and could be fined up to $250,000 on each count. No sentencing date was set.
Jurors found that Bustamante engaged in a pattern of corruption while in Congress from 1985 to 1993. The racketeering charge included nine allegations. It was unknown which offenses the jury believed Bustamante committed.
A key allegation was a $35,000 bribe that prosecutors claim Bustamante accepted from Falcon Food and Managements Services Inc. in exchange for using his influence to help the company try to renew an Air Force food contract.
Also alleged in the racketeering charge was a deal to acquire a San Antonio television station that prosecutors claim Bustamante was allowed into at no risk because of his position in Congress.
by CNB