California

Former California Court Clerk Sentenced for Accepting $420,000 in Bribes to Fix Cases

In all, prosecutors say, he fixed 1,034 cases over about five years.

A former California court clerk who accepted $420,000 in bribes to fix more than 1,000 minor court cases has been sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Federal prosecutors say Jose Lopez Jr. of Anaheim was sentenced Friday.

Lopez, 36, pleaded guilty in March to one count of conspiring to violate the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

According to court documents, the former Orange County Superior Court clerk entered information into his court's computers to make it appear defendants had pleaded guilty, paid required fees or performed community service when they had not.

In some cases he created phony documents showing charges had been dismissed.

In all, prosecutors say, he fixed 1,034 cases over about five years.

Most involved minor traffic infractions.

Sixty-nine were for driving under the influence.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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