An indictment unsealed in federal court Monday reveals a web of alleged racketeering with Cameron County District Attorney Armando Villalobos on the receiving end of a murder trial in which the defendant Amit Livingston would enter into a plea agreement in exchange for 23 years.
The plot thickens, according to the indictment, when attorney Eduardo Lucio, also charged in the federal case Monday, filed a wrongful death suit against Livingston in an arrangement by Villalobos.
The bond was set at $500,000 in Judge Abel Limas’ court, $300,000 of which went to the victim’s children and the remaining $200,000 to Lucio.
According to the indictment, Lucio made two cash payments to the District Attorney worth a total of $80,000.
After paying the bond, Livingston was never seen again to serve jail time for the murder.
Villalobos called a press conference Monday morning to state he is not guilty of the charges and “never used his position for financial gain.”
Villalobos also says he will fight the charges and won’t step down as DA nor will he withdraw his bid for congress.
He was arrested a few hours after turning himself over to the US Attorney’s office in Brownsville and is charged with racketeering.
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