Father, Son Held in IRS Bribe Case
The two men who face a 201-count indictment, in what federal prosecutors say is the largest single bribery case in the history of the Internal Revenue Service, were ordered held without bond after an unusual six-hour hearing Friday.
Robert A. Morales Sr., a 62-year-old former IRS agent, and his son, Robert Morales Jr., will be held in the downtown Metropolitan Correctional Center until their trial, following orders from federal Magistrate Barry Ted Moskowitz.
The two men pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a federal indictment charging the elder Morales with accepting more than $400,000 in a bribe from an Imperial County farmer, who paid the agent to help him evade taxes.
The younger Morales allegedly helped launder the money after establishing a sham corporation, according to federal prosecutors.
Friday’s hearing, which lasted until 9 p.m., featured extended evidence concerning the Moraleses’ financial records.
The men are to appear Monday before U.S. District Judge Gordon Thompson Jr.
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