Former state Treasurer Robert Vigil was convicted of one count of attempted extortion Saturday and acquitted of the remaining 23 counts of extortion and racketeering in his public corruption trial.
The attempted extortion carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years, but the judge could sentence him to as little as 12 months.
Vigil sat motionless as the counts were read in court shortly after 1 p.m. His wife, Viola, and other relatives began to cry as U.S. District Judge James Browning read “not guilty” on the 23 counts.
Because he was not convicted of racketeering, Vigil will not have to face proceedings to forfeit about $255,000 that the government had claimed was linked to kickbacks.
The judge allowed Vigil to remain out of custody, pending sentencing.
Vigil’s first prosecution last spring ended in a mistrial May 22 when one juror held out for an acquittal.
