A San Antonio attorney entered a plea of guilty Tuesday to charges arising from a scheme where she allegedly forged the signatures of three district court judges on payment vouchers.
The investigation began into attorney Hilda Valadez, 51, in October 2011, when District Court staff members discovered inconsistencies on two vouchers submitted by Valadez.
Valadez entered her plea and entered into a plea agreement in which she pleaded guilty to one count each of securing execution of a document by deception $100,000-$200,000 and forgery.
Valadez is facing up to 10 years in prison, with the state opposing her application for probation, under the terms of her agreement. In addition, she will pay $80,000 in restitution.
As part of her plea agreement, Valadez agreed to discuss her knowledge of alleged courthouse corruption with federal authorities.
