Former Las Vegas Mayor Tonita Gurule-Giron found guilty in corruption trial

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Coming into trial, former Las Vegas Mayor Tonita Gurule-Giron faced six charges, all carrying jail time.

After jury deliberation Thursday, she was found guilty of two charges: violation of ethical principles of public service and soliciting/receiving illegal kickbacks.

The six initial charges included:

• Official acts for personal interest
• Violation of ethical principles of public service
• Soliciting/receiving kickbacks
• Conspiracy to making a false voucher
• Unlawful interest in public contract
• Demanding/receiving bribes by the public

The judge had dismissed all but the two charges she was found guilty of. The judge didn’t feel that the attorney general’s office had sufficiently made its case on those other counts.

The jury was left to decide whether the mayor violated ethical principles of public service, and if she solicited or received illegal kickbacks. Essentially – did the mayor abuse her power? Did she personally benefit after her contractor boyfriend got the city contracts in question? The jury decided she was guilty of both.

Each count is a fourth degree felony, carrying up to 18 months in prison.

Gurule-Giron did not testify in her own defense. In fact, her attorney did not put forward any witnesses or evidence in her defense. The state put forward 13 witnesses this week.

Gurule-Giron faces up to three years in prison.