Noe Perez, an Edinburg attorney who pleaded guilty to bribing a state district judge, was sentenced Wednesday to two years in federal prison but no fine.

Perez was convicted of conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds for his role in paying bribes to former 93rd District Judge Rudy Delgado to make favorable rulings for Perez's clients in court. A federal jury on July 11 found Delgado guilty of conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, obstruction of justice, three counts of federal-program bribery and three counts of Travel Act violations.

"He accepted responsibility and cooperated with the government," said Perez's attorney, Jesus Contreras, who noted that Perez's help allowed the government to charge Delgado. "He ended up doing something good for the community, which is getting some of these corrupted persons in office out, in essence cleaning the system somewhat."

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'Valley law' fosters bribes

The government filed a motion Tuesday arguing for a downward departure in Perez's sentence, due to his cooperation in the investigation, Contreras noted. That filing is sealed on the court's docket.

Contreras, an Edinburg solo practitioner, said that during the sentencing hearing, Perez testified that lawyers and judges in the area's judicial system operated under "Valley Law."

"Valley law seems to generate corruption, bribes and so forth, in his dealings with the courts as a lawyer," Contreras said. "He was somewhat forced into it."

Contreras recalled that U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett had commented that the Rio Grande Valley can be redeemed.

"He's got to send a message that there is justice out there, and he will make certain with his sentences of Mr. Perez and Mr. Delgado. There is hope for the valley and reconciliation of any wrongs by any public official in this area. He's not in agreement to allowing it to continue," Contreras recalled about Bennett's statements from the bench.

According to the Progress Times, which covered the sentencing hearing, Bennett said that the federal jury that convicted Delgado in July also rejected the concept of "Valley Law."

"They said, 'No more,' " Bennett said, according to the article. "And the court agrees with them."

Unlike in Perez's case, prosecutors seek a harsher sentence for the former judge.

The newspaper reported that federal sentencing guidelines suggested 30 to 37 months in prison, but the government recommended 20 months because of Perez's cooperation.

In contrast, the government is pushing the court to give Delgado the maximum sentence that's allowed—97 months—for his crimes, according to a Sept. 20 sentencing memorandum.

Delgado's sentencing hearing began at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, and it was still ongoing as of press time.

Angela Dodge, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas, didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

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