Sen. Montoya and Former Aide Plead Not Guilty

Speaking softly but decisively, state Sen. Joseph B. Montoya (D-Whittier) and his former aide, Amiel A. Jaramillo, pleaded innocent in federal court Monday to charges of using their public offices for extortion and racketeering.

After their arraignment together, the two read terse statements expressing confidence that they will ultimately be found not guilty, but they refused to answer questions.

Surrounded by staff, friends and family, Montoya said he would “vigorously defend my innocence during these court proceedings.”

Coverage Denounced

The 50-year-old lawmaker angrily denounced extensive press coverage of his conduct in office and legal difficulties, which first came to light last August when FBI agents raided his Capitol office, along with the offices of three other legislators and two aides.

“Once again, I ask all of you that fairness dictates that this case should not be tried in the press as it has been,” Montoya said. “The judicial process should be allowed to take its proper course without bias or interference of any kind. This is not only a just request, but my basic right as a citizen.”

Last month, a federal grand jury charged Montoya with 10 counts of extortion, racketeering and money-laundering for allegedly seeking or accepting payments from supporters of legislation. Some of the charges involve Montoya’s acceptance last June of a $3,000 honorarium from undercover FBI agents posing as businessmen and seeking passage of a special-interest bill.

The payment was part of a federal sting operation begun in October, 1985, and called Brispec (for bribery-special interest).

Jaramillo, 35, was not implicated in the sting but was charged with attempting to obtain payments for Montoya in exchange for the senator’s support of legislation. He faces two counts of extortion and one count of racketeering.

The one-time legislative aide, now a lawyer in private practice, told reporters: “I have a great deal of confidence in the American judicial system and in the American people. And I’m confident that once the jury is impaneled, I will be found not guilty of all charges.”

Although Montoya and Jaramillo appeared together to enter their pleas, Jaramillo’s attorney, Christopher H. Wing, said he was considering whether to seek a separate trial for his client.

Although a trial date has not been set for either defendant, Wing said he expected the case to be completed by the end of the year.

Neither Montoya nor Jaramillo were taken into custody after their indictments, and both were released without bail after their court appearance.

Last month, the two men separately were booked by the U.S. marshal’s office and were fingerprinted and photographed.

Each count against them carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, plus fines as high $500,000 for Montoya and $250,000 for Jaramillo.

The two are the first legislative targets of the 3 1/2-year Capitol corruption probe to be indicted.

Earlier, the grand jury charged Yolo County Sheriff Rod Graham and a former top deputy, Wendell Luttrull, with extorting $3,650 in campaign contributions from a West Sacramento developer, who was helping the FBI with the Capitol sting. Luttrull pleaded guilty to the charges and agreed to cooperate in the prosecution of Graham. The sheriff has pleaded not guilty.