Kino Flores Sentenced to 5 Years Probation
AUSTIN–A judge spared a Rio Grande Valley State Representative prison time when he sentenced him to five years probation for a criminal ethics violations case.
Kino Flores, who is from Palmview, was convicted in October of 11 counts of tampering with governmental records and perjury. He is the Upper Valley state senator, but didn’t seek re-election.
State District Judge Bob Perkins said in court the investigation had impacted the 52-year-old lawmaker’s reputation and this case merited probation.
With his family in the courtroom, he faced a possible two-year prison sentenced.
“I am glad this is over and let’s move on,” Flores said, according to press accounts of his sentencing.
Prosecutors accused Flores of not reporting gifts from the family of a large South Texas beer distributor and said in court Flores allegedly took a $40,000 bribe from the head of a chain of Valley medical clinics.
Prosecutors also presented evidence saying Flores sponsored an amendment to a 2003 state bill to help out the clinics with new costly HMO rules.
–Manuel De La Rosa, South Texas Tribune, southtexastribune@gmail.com
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