LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Former Arkansas senator Gilbert Baker has been indicted on counts of conspiracy, bribery and wire fraud.
The indictment unsealed Friday in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas connects Baker, 62, to a scheme involving former Faulkner County Circuit Judge Mike Maggio.
Maggio was convicted of bribery and sentenced to 10 years in federal prison in 2016. He admitted to lowering the amount of damages awarded in a civil suit in exchange for indirect contributions to his campaign for an Arkansas Court of Appeals seat. The indictment says Baker solicited campaign contributions for Maggio and was involved in the scheme.
Gilbert Baker indictment by on Scribd
Baker's attorneys Richard Watts and Bud Cummins released the following statement to KATV on behalf of Gilbert Baker:
Mr. Baker has consistently maintained, including several times under sown oath that at no time did he ask Judge Mike Maggio or Mr. Michael Morton or anybody else to do anything improper or illegal. He has also consistently maintained that at no time did anyone ask him to do anything improper or illegal. All campaign contributions in 2013 were handled lawfully and were transparently reported in public records. After over five years of investigation M. Baker is confident that the truth will finally be made know.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.