DALLAS (CN) - The former chief investigator for the Dallas County district attorney admitted Tuesday he took $200,000 in bribes disguised as a cattle investment to make a criminal case go away.
Anthony L. Robinson, 53, of Mesquite, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to bribe or reward an agent of an organization receiving federal funds. He worked for the district attorney's office for around 22 years, serving as chief investigator under former District Attorney Craig Watkins from 2007 to 2014.
Robinson faces up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. He was charged by a federal grand jury in June 2015; the indictment was unsealed Tuesday.
Robinson agreed in a plea agreement to pay more than $31,000 in restitution. He is free on bond and will be sentenced on Oct. 12.
Prosecutors did not identify the defendant who paid the bribe. They said that from September 2012 to May 2013, Robinson "solicited, demanded, and accepted" a bribe that was "disguised as an investment in a cattle business."
"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," prosecutors said in a statement. "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."
Five months later, Robinson drafted a proposed business partnership in which the unidentified defendant "would supply the initial funding" 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," prosecutors said. "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."
Robinson used his position to persuade an assistant district attorney to dismiss the charge two months later, prosecutors said.
The district attorney's office declined to comment on Robinson's plea.
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