Lawyers seek to quash Cheney indictments

RAYMONDVILLE, Texas, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Attorneys for U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney were in Texas Friday trying to quash indictments against Cheney alleging abuse in a federal detention center.

Cheney and former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales are accused of influencing a privately contracted prison facility and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The vice president also was charged with investing in private prison companies despite his government position.

Presiding Judge Manuel Banales planned to hear arguments on motions to dismiss or quash the indictments, the Houston Chronicle reported. Willacy County District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra, who missed a Wednesday court appearance, indicated he would be at the Friday hearing.

Indictments were returned Monday against Cheney, Gonzales and other high-profile individuals, in what Cheney's attorneys characterized as the county prosecutor's attempt to settle scores with political enemies, the Chronicle said. Guerra said, however, a grand jury -- not him -- returned the indictments and that criticism stemmed from his investigations of ties between politicians and the private companies that run federal detention centers.