ARLINGTON - Arlington City Councilman Robert Rivera was helping the FBI gather evidence against a man allegedly trying to bribe a judge.
Halid Amer, 40, was arrested by federal agents this week.
Amer was out on bond, awaiting sentencing in another criminal case, where he pleaded guilty to felony bank fraud.
According to Rivera, Amer reached out to him to try and pay off U.S. District Judge Jorge Solis in return for a lesser sentence.
"He said he would be willing to pay me or whoever to solicit the judge," Rivera said.
The councilman said he does not know the judge, but he believes he was singled out because he was an elected official and both he and the judge are Hispanic.
Over the past four months, Rivera worked undercover with the FBI, even wearing a wire tap as he met and talked over the phone with Amer on six occasions. Sources tell News 8 Amer offered $30,000 during the discussions to try and cut a deal.
"He was very serious in his tone and demeanor, and [had] a sense of fidgetiness and a desperation in him," Rivera said.
Halid Amer lives in an apartment with his wife and two children in Grand Prairie. At his home Thursday, a relative who asked not to be identified said that he was a good father, a nice guy and added that he likes to help people.
Amer has not been charged with bribery. But investigators have used the allegations to get his bond revoked.
He could face bribery charges in the future, in addition to the crimes he's already admitted to.
E-mail ccivale@wfaa.com
Twitter: @craigcivale
