Judge Rejects Cisneros’ Attempt to Dismiss Charges
A federal judge refused to dismiss any of the charges against former Housing Secretary Henry Cisneros, who is charged with conspiring to conceal payments to his ex-mistress.
In a 62-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Stanley Sporkin rejected all 21 motions to dismiss charges in the 21-count indictment filed last year against Cisneros, two former aides and his one-time paramour.
All four pleaded innocent to charges they obstructed an FBI and Justice Department background investigation by concealing $250,000 in payments Cisneros made to Linda Medlar to cover up their relationship.
The former San Antonio mayor won Senate confirmation in 1993 and served as housing secretary until 1996, when he resigned to become president of Univision Communications Inc.
Defense lawyer Barry Simon declined comment Friday.
Cisneros will be tried this fall with former aides John Rosales and Sylvia Arce-Garcia.
Cisneros’ attorneys had attacked the charges on a number of fronts, claiming that independent counsel David Barrett had exceeded the Justice Department’s prosecutorial policies.
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