Former Arkansas State Sen. Gilbert Baker pleaded not guilty to bribing already convicted Judge Michael Maggio with campaign contributions to lower damages in a nursing home negligence suit.
Michael Maggio is the former Faulkner County Circuit Judge. Maggio is currently serving a ten year prison sentence.
Baker will be in federal court on February 25 to stand trial on charges of conspiracy, bribery, and seven counts of wire charges. In the meantime, a judge has ordered that Baker must undergo substance abuse treatment.
Baker served in the Arkansas Senate from 2001-2013 for District 30. In 2010, Baker ran an unsuccessful campaign for the former US Senate seat of Democrat Blanche Lincoln.
Having reached his term limit for service, Baker worked as an executive for the University of Central Arkansas in Conway following his time in office.
