Judge says some proceeds of sale of $1.5 million Uresti home will be deposited with court

8,000 square foot home, personal property were part of pending divorce

SAN ANTONIO – A little more than five months after it was listed for sale, the place former state Sen. Carlos Uresti called home may soon have new owners.

A federal judge on Friday approved the sale of the Helotes home, listed at $1.5 million. Uresti and his estranged wife, Margaret Lleanna Uresti, have been trying to sell the home since April -- shortly after Margaret Uresti filed for divorce and Uresti was convicted of fraud and money laundering.

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Prosecutors obtained a restraining order keeping the Urestis from selling possessions in their divorce, which was described as "a common asset protection device in cases where restitution is anticipated, and defendants will routinely agree to a final decree in which the non-debtor spouse receives all of the assets while the defendant receives all the debt."

The sale of the property needed the judge's permission. It comes with stipulations.

"After payment of any outstanding mortgages, taxes and reasonable costs to the sale, as listed in the closing statement, the remaining proceeds of the sale (shall be) deposited into the Court's registry," the court document said.

The 8,064-square-foot property is listed by Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper Global Luxury. It has six bedrooms, six full baths and two half-baths. The home is described as a "Tuscan sanctuary" with "Italian warmth with hints of royalty."

Court records said the couple's personal property is being sold by an estate firm. Proceeds of that sale would be held by Margaret Uresti's attorney until the judge makes a decision on the funds.

Carlos Uresti is still trying to sell the office building where he used to practice law. A buyer for that property fell through earlier this summer. Like the home sale, any sale of the commercial site needs the judge's approval.

Uresti was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison. He was ordered to pay more than $6.3 million in restitution to his victims. He faces trial on bribery charges later this year.

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