A former federal court clerk, Dionisio Figueroa, and New York lawyer, Telesforo Del Valle Jr., were sentenced to prison for operating a cash-for-clients bribery scheme. Figueroa was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to forfeit $40,000, while Del Valle was sentenced to a year and a day in prison and fined $10,000 for conspiracy, bribery, and other charges. The men’s scheme involved at least 45 criminal defendants in the Southern District of New York from 2011 to 2022.
Figueroa worked in the magistrate clerk’s office in the Southern District of New York, where he prepared bonds for defendants, advised them on bond conditions, and ensured they were signed before release. Del Valle represented many of these defendants in court and was frequently recommended by Figueroa. The referrals were documented in ledger entries maintained by Del Valle’s firm. Figueroa steered defendants to Del Valle, encouraging them to switch from court-appointed lawyers, and disparaging those lawyers in some instances.
In exchange for the referrals, Del Valle paid Figueroa tens of thousands of dollars in bribes. Some payments were made directly, while others were delivered in cash-stuffed envelopes to Figueroa’s romantic partner. Both men denied the scheme when confronted by federal agents. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated that the men had undermined the fair administration of justice and the work of courthouse employees who uphold the integrity of the criminal justice system.
Paul Evangelista, a federal public defender who represented Figueroa, declined to comment on the case. Del Valle was disbarred last month as a result of his guilty plea, but his law firm’s website, Del Valle & Associates, remained active. His biography on the site highlights his experience as a legal ethics lecturer and grievance committee member for the state Appellate Division’s First Judicial Department, the panel that initiated his disbarment proceedings. An email inquiry to the firm did not receive a response.
The sentencing of Figueroa to two years in prison and Del Valle to a year and a day highlights the consequences of their bribery scheme. The court records show that prosecutors had recommended longer sentences for both men, reflecting the seriousness of their actions that spanned over a decade. The impact of their scheme on the fair administration of justice in the Southern District of New York underscores the importance of upholding ethical standards in the legal profession and court system. The case serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of engaging in corrupt practices that erode public trust in the criminal justice system.
