Judge criticizes tactics in bribery case

The Houston Chronicle reports:

A federal judge Friday refused to drop charges against a Houston developer accused of lying to FBI agents about bribes to a city official, but was critical of the government use of deception in the investigation.

A two-day hearing before U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes also provided a glimpse at possible weaknesses in the government's case, including a 2004 Justice Department letter indicating the focus of the years-long corruption investigation would be shifted to Cleveland, Ohio, because of the agency's estimate of the chances for a successful prosecution here in Houston.