Closing arguments are underway in the corruption trial of Brownsville school board member Sylvia Atkinson. Both prosecutors and defense attorneys completed their cases Tuesday following seven days of testimony in the courtroom of Brownsville federal judge Fernando Rodriguez.
Atkinson is being tried on bribery and conspiracy charges contained in an 8-count indictment. The outgoing Place 7 trustee is accused of using her influence to coerce cash payments from school district contractors. Atkinson was arrested last December in an FBI sting.