The former Chief Investigator at the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, Anthony L. Robinson, appeared in federal court this morning and pleaded guilty, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul D. Stickney, to an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in June 2016 and unsealed today charging one count of conspiracy to bribe or reward an agent of an organization receiving federal funds. The announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
Robinson, 53, of Mesquite, Texas, will remain on bond pending sentencing. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, and as part of the plea agreement, he agrees to pay $31,708 in restitution in addition to any other restitution that the Court may order. Sentencing is set for October 12, 2016, before U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade.
According to documents filed in the case, between approximately September 13, 2012, and May 24, 2013, Robinson solicited, demanded, and accepted from an individual a bribe, disguised as an investment in a cattle business, to use his position to assist in the dismissal of criminal charges that had been filed against this individual by the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office.
On approximately September 13, 2012, Robinson traveled to Las Vegas, at Dallas County expense, to take custody of this individual and return him to Dallas County to face a criminal charge. On the return trip, Robinson told this individual that he wanted to enter the cattle business. This individual told Robinson that he was wealthy and would be willing to enter into business with Robinson if Robinson would assist in getting his criminal charges dismissed. Robinson agreed.
In late February 2013, Robinson drafted a proposed business partnership specifying that this individual would supply the initial funding for the partnership, while Robinson would handle all day-to-day activities. On March 26, 2013, this individual deposited $200,000 into a joint checking account, and on March 27, 2013, Robinson signed paperwork adding himself as a co-owner of the joint checking account. The next day, Robinson wrote a $5,000 check from that joint account to his wife. Robinson also made additional withdrawals from the account that he used for personal expenses, and he also withdrew some money that he sent back to this individual.
On approximately May 24, 2013, Robinson used his position as Chief Investigator to persuade an Assistant District Attorney to dismiss the criminal charge pending against this individual.
