Alleged co-conspirator in Uresti case makes court appearance

Vernon Farthing III could face up to 25 years in federal prison

SAN ANTONIO – A 44-year-old man who federal authorities said conspired with state Sen. Carlos Uresti to pay and accept bribes in a money-laundering scheme made his first appearance Thursday in a federal courtroom in San Antonio.

Vernon Farthing III, of Lubbock, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

The indictment alleges that from January 2005 to September 2016, Farthing, Uresti and former Reeves County Judge Jimmy Galindo conspired to pay and accept bribes in order to secure a Reeves County Correctional Center medical services contract for Farthing’s company.

The indictment alleges that Farthing paid Uresti $10,000 a month as a marketing consultant, and half of that amount was given to Galindo for his support and vote to award the contract to Farthing’s company.

Farthing told reporters upon leaving the courthouse that he's always carried himself with the utmost business integrity and looks forward to getting vindicated.

He is scheduled for another court appearance May 31.

If convicted, Farthing could face up to 25 years in federal prison.

Galindo, 53, who now lives in Selma, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and one count of failure to file income tax returns.

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About the Authors:

David Ibañez has been managing editor of KSAT.com since the website's launch in October 2000.