A Bexar County grand jury indicted a San Antonio lawyer on 46 felony counts, alleging that she forged hundreds of thousands of dollars in attorney fee voucher forms, which attorneys submit to be compensated for representing indigent defendants.
The Aug 23 indictment charges Hilda Valadez with securing the execution of a document by deception $100,000-$200,000; theft by deception $20,000-$100,000; and forgery and tampering with a governmental record.
Valadez denies the allegations in the indictment.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office that began in October 2011, when 144th District Court staff discovered inconsistencies on two court-appointed attorney fee expense claims, says Bexar County D.A. Susan Reed.
Reed, a former Bexar County criminal judge who served on the bench for 12 years before being elected DA, says the charges against Valadez are no small matter.
“My goodness. Lawyers, first of all being officers of the courts, we owe honesty to the judges of the court and the system,” Reed says. “And we take an oath to abide the laws and observe and protect the laws honorably. I think it’s important.”
Valadez alleges the indictment is partly the result of personal animosity Reed has for her, which dates back to the early 1990s when Valadez served as a Bexar County assistant DA in then-Judge Reed’s court.
“I was her prosecutor, and she tried to get me fired,” Valadez alleges.
Reed says Valadez’ allegation is “absurd.”
--- John Council
I think Ms. Susan Reed and her team are "Great"!! I believe she needs to focus and investigate on some of the attorneys that are abusing their power on people and in our judicial system. Exspecially, the one that says " I have this Judge in my pocket, don't worry". The one that prays on women that are in need of help, tell them "don't worry about anything, I will help you". Then one day he tells you," I bet your good in bed, why don't we meet some place and you can pay me for what I have done for you so far". This is what happened to me. I have since fired him and tried to find a attorney that would bring this man to justice and to stop him from doing this to other young women. No one seems to care anymore. This man thinks and believes he is above the law and can't be touched. He has ruinned alot of lives, including mine. Someone has to control and put a stop to this man and others like him.
Posted by: Alone & Scared | February 25, 2013 at 09:24 AM
I think Susan Reed has too far reaching of power and has abused her power as the DA in Bexar County and I hope this case that she's so vigerously bringing against Hilda is her downfall.
Posted by: anonymous | December 11, 2012 at 01:28 PM