Carlos Uresti to be sentenced today

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) — Former State Senator Carlos Uresti is scheduled to be sentenced this afternoon. He was found guilty of nearly a dozen felony counts last February, including fraud and money-laundering.

Uresti and two others were convicted for their role in a Ponzi scheme against investors of FourWinds. The 54-year-old Democrat also is scheduled to go on trial in October on other fraud and bribery charges.

Prosecutors are expected to recommend that Uresti be sentenced to more than 17 years behind bars, but his attorney will ask for leniency, based on his service in the U.S. Marine Corps, fighting child abuse and helping veterans

Uresti last week announced his resignation.

Governor Greg Abbott has announced a July 31 special election to replace Uresti. Eight candidates have signed up for the senate race.

Democrats in the race are state Rep. Roland Gutierrez, Pete Gallego , Charlie Urbina Jones and the senator’s brother, state Rep. Tomas Uresti. Republican candidates for the state Senate District 19 seat are Pete Flores, Jesse “Jay” Alaniz and Carlos Antonio Raymond. Tony Valdivia is a Libertarian candidate.

Early voting will begin July 16. The winner will serve the remainder of Carlos Uresti’s term,which ends in January of 2021.

The post Carlos Uresti to be sentenced today appeared first on KTSA.