Lawyer sent to prison for Bexar billing scheme

Hilda Valadez is seen in an Aug. 23, 2012 Bexar County Sheriff's Department booking mug taken after she was charged with 46 felony counts that include forging judges' signatures and double-billing the county. Hilda Valadez is seen in an Aug. 23, 2012 Bexar County Sheriff's Department booking mug taken after she was charged with 46 felony counts that include forging judges' signatures and double-billing the county. Photo: Bexar County Sheriff's Departmen Photo: Bexar County Sheriff's Departmen Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Lawyer sent to prison for Bexar billing scheme 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — Former defense attorney Hilda Valadez, who pleaded guilty to charges of forging judges' signatures and double billing the county for indigent defense work, was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison.

The sentence, by Visiting Judge Stephen Ables, came with the caveat that he would retain jurisdiction of the case for 180 days. That means he can determine at any time during the next six months to commute her sentence to probation.

Valadez, 52, was once regarded as the county's busiest court-appointed defense attorney. She was paid nearly $600,000 from 2008 to 2011, according to the district attorney's office.

She pleaded guilty last month, as her jury trial was about to begin, to securing execution of a document by deception and forgery.

Under terms of the plea, she paid $40,000 last month of the $79,670 she is accused of owing the county.

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mcasady@express-news.net