SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A Puerto Rico businessman has pleaded guilty to bribing a Superior Court judge to secure his acquittal in a fatal drunk-driving case.
Lutgardo Acevedo Lopez was accused of using intermediaries to pay $3,200 worth of taxes owed by the judge as well as pay for the renovation of the judge’s garage and buy him a $1,200 motorcycle, clothing, a watch and other items.
Acevedo was acquitted last year on charges including vehicular homicide after being arrested on suspicion of hitting another car in June 2012 and killing a security guard.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Thursday that the 39-year-old certified public accountant is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 8.
Former Judge Manuel Acevedo Hernandez has pleaded not guilty in the case.
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