LUCIO WANTS OUTTAHEAH; MANDO WANTS TO STAY PUT

Special to El Rrun-Rrun
It must have felt like the good old days for former Cameron County Attorney Armando Villalobos after he emerged from federal court and was surrounded by local media types.
We understand that Mando declined to follow the suit of his former law partner – Austin-based Eddie Lucio attorney who is jointly named in a corruption case filed against Villalobos – when he asked a magistrate for his trial to take place outside of South Texas.
Both Villalobos and Lucio appeared for arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald Morgan on Wednesday morning.
Lucio is not related to our Sucio Lucios.
Both are accused of participating in what a local broadcaster termed  the "cash for court favors" scandal involving former 404th State District Judge Abel Limas.
The latest wrinkle in the case is a federal grand jury indictment against Villalobos accusing him of lying on his income tax returns.
They both pleaded not guilty to all the charges filed against them.
Morgan allowed them both to remain free on bond.
Lucio is asked for a change of venue outside of South Texas due to heavy publicity surrounding the case.
A hearing for Lucio's request is expected to be held on January 28th.