Ex-Rep. Bustamante Sentenced to 3 1/2 Years for Racketeering
Former Rep. Albert Bustamante was sentenced Friday to 3 1/2 years in prison and fined $55,100 for his conviction on racketeering charges.
“In the appellate process, I will be able to profess my innocence,” Bustamante told U.S. District Judge Ed Prado before sentencing.
Prado said he would allow Bustamante, 58, to remain free on bond pending his appeal.
Bustamante declined to comment on the sentence. The Democrat, who represented a San Antonio district in Congress for eight years, has attributed his failed reelection bid last November to the federal racketeering investigation.
A jury found him guilty last August of accepting an illegal gratuity in the form of a loan guarantee at no personal risk. Jurors acquitted his wife, Rebecca, of charges of aiding and abetting her husband.
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