LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – An attorney has been appointed to represent a former
Arkansas lawmaker facing federal charges in what prosecutors say as a bribery
scheme with an ex-judge.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia Harris on Friday appointed J. Blake Hendrix to
represent former state Sen. Gilbert Baker. She said a financial affidavit shows
the former lawmaker cannot afford a private attorney.
A federal grand jury last week charged Baker with conspiracy, bribery and wire
fraud in a scheme involving former Judge Michael Maggio.
Maggio admitted in 2015 to accepting campaign donations from a nursing home
company owner, then reducing a jury award against that company by millions of
dollars.
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