U.S. Attorney's Office expands email probe
The federal investigation of Abel C. Limas, former state 404th District judge, who has pleaded guilty to racketeering, already has resulted in federal indictments or complaints against the following:
- Person A: Marc G. Rosenthal, attorney based in Austin. Pleaded not guilty.
- Person B: Jose Manuel “Meme” Longoria, middleman for Limas. Pleaded guilty.
- Person C: Jim Solis, attorney and former state representative. Pleaded guilty.
- Person D: Ray R. Marchan, attorney. Pleaded not guilty.
- Person E: Jose Martin “Joe” Valle, attorney. Pleaded guilty.
- Person F: Jaime Munivez, former investigator with the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office. Pleaded guilty.
- Person G: Not yet identified.
Source: Federal records
The federal investigation into the racketeering activities of former 404th state District Judge Abel C. Limas has expanded, and three prominent South Texas men have been brought into the inquiry, public records show.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is interested in the communications, if any, that George Gavito, Lencho Rendon or Dan Robles might have had with Limas, with Austin-based attorney Marc G. Rosenthal, with former state Rep. Jim Solis or others.
Gavito, Rendon and Robles are on a list of 25 people whose communications are of interest as part of the investigation, records show.
Gavito, of Brownsville, is a long-time lawman who most recently held the post of chief of police at the Brownsville Navigation District. Rendon was the long-time chief of staff of former U.S. Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz. Robles is a former Cameron County Court-at-Law judge.
The fact that federal investigators are interested in their communications is gleaned from the court record in the case against Rosenthal, who is charged in a 13-count indictment alleging racketeering activity, mail fraud, tampering with a witness, tampering with a proceeding and extortion.
The charges against Rosenthal stem from the investigation into racketeering activity by Limas, Solis and others. Limas and Solis have pleaded guilty to racketeering and extortion respectively, admitting that Limas received money in exchange for favorable court rulings.
Rosenthal has pleaded not guilty.
Gavito, Rendon and Robles are on a list of 25 people that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has expressed an interest in, insofar as possi-ble communications that could shed light on the inquiries.
The list is contained in a motion that Rosenthal’s attorneys filed recently in federal court.
The motion asks U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen to order the U.S. Attorney’s Office to return evidence or to stop the U.S. Attorney’s Office from using records seized from Rosenthal’s law firm, Rosenthal & Watson, P.C.
Hanen ordered the U.S. Attorney’s Office not to open or review any of the electronic records that were seized from Rosenthal’s firm until further orders from the court.
One of Rosenthal’s attorneys, Ernesto Gamez, declined to comment on the defense motion.
The motion, however, states that the law firm’s records in question include scores of privileged communications.
The motion states that the U.S. Attorney’s Office seized the entire electronic database of Rosenthal’s firm from a third party without the required notification to the law firm or the court.
The motion also addresses a search warrant that the U.S. Attorney’s Office sought regarding email communications to or from, between or among Rosenthal, Limas, Solis and others relating to efforts or plans to bribe judges, including Limas, or paying wit-nesses for statements or testimony of any kind.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office indicated in the application for the search warrant its interest in the cases of the Estate of Alyssa Renee Rodriguez, Hamilton, et al. vs. Cooper Wiring Devices Inc., and Jesus Mario Flores, et al. vs. Esco Marine Inc.
The application for the search warrant also sought emails to, from, between, or among Rosenthal, Limas, Solis or others, including the 25 people.
Gavito was asked Friday about his name appearing on the list.
“Zero comment,” he responded.
Robles, who after retiring as court-at-law judge became a partner with Solis’ law firm, said he had not been aware of the docu-ment filed in federal court or that his name appeared on it. He was not surprised, however, and said he didn’t find it unusual.
“I assume the federal prosecutors do a thorough investigation of any and all communications. It’s not news to anyone that Mr. So-lis and I have worked here together,” Robles said. “Other than that, that’s all that there really is.”
Robles has opened his own law office and is no longer partners with Solis.
Rendon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The name Joseph Ramirez appears below Rendon’s name on the list. Rendon has a nephew named Joseph Ramirez who has worked with Rendon and on the political campaign of former U.S. Rep. Ortiz.
Ramirez also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The list of 25 people also includes Limas’ wife, Genevieve Limas, and a stream of former and present lawyers and staff members at Rosenthal’s law firm.
Hanen has scheduled a hearing by telephone for Monday.
