A somber State Senator Carlos Uresti made his initial appearance in federal court today, wearing handcuffs as he entered the Wood Federal Courthouse for an apprearance before a magistrate, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
He was ordered released on $50,000 bond.
Uresti says allegations contained in an indictment handed down against him on Tuesday are 'groundless' and says he will plead not guilty.
Arraignment was set for May 31st.
The magistrate set several conditions for Uresti's release on bond. He cannot leave the country, cannot open new lines of credit, and cannot own a firearm or drink to excess.
Uresti is charged with felonies in two separate alleged crimes. He is accused of setting up a 'Ponzi Scheme' to sell fracking sand, and advising a client of his law office to invest in the scheme, allegedly without registering as a securities agent and without notifying the client that he was receiving a commission for referring investors to Four Winds Resources, both federal crimes.
In the other offense, Uresti is charged with paying bribes to officials in Reeves County, which is in West Texas, to convince local officials to grant a contract to operate medical services at a local prison for a Lubbock businessman who employed Uresti as a consultant.
Uresti is not required to resign from his State Senate seat, and indicated he was returning to the Capitol following the court appearance.