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FBI Nabs Lawyer, Rialto Police Officer In Alleged Bribery Scheme

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Federal law enforcement officials on Monday accused a defense lawyer and a local police officer in what they allege was a bribery scheme to get a client off the hook.

KNX 1070's Mike Landa reports a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office called the charges "disturbing".

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Spokesman Thom Morzek said defense attorney Lawrence Witsoe solicited a $2,500 bribe from a client who was facing assault charges.

Rialto police officer Aaron Vigil is accused of cooperating in the scheme by falsely telling prosecutors the defendant should get a break because the man was an undercover drug informant.

"It certainly is disturbing that we have a member of the California Bar as well as a law enforcement officer who's a sworn deputy to a federal drug task force getting together to hatch this bribery scheme," said Morzek.

Witsoe's client alerted the FBI after determining his attorney and a police officer were attempting to bribe him.

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