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Jury deliberating in Uresti federal fraud trial

It's all up to the jury now in this high profile case that's captured not only the attention of the audience here, but nationwide.

Lawyers in the federal trial of State Senator Carlos Uresti wrapped up closing arguments Tuesday in a high-profile case that's captured a nationwide audience.

In closing arguments, the government worked to remind jurors about Denise Cantu, a woman whom Uresti once defended in a case in the valley. She won a large settlement that he then persuaded her to invest in the now-defunct company FourWinds Logistics.

The government said Cantu was a shattered, vulnerable woman who trusted Uresti as a friend, lawyer, financial advisor - and later, lover. They claim Uresti exploited that relationship for his own financial gain.

They say the senator knew FourWinds C-E-O Stan Bates was a shady con man, yet continued to do business with him - even bringing in investors who did not know about their business and personal reputation. They claim Uresti was able to overlook Bates's crookedness, saying, "There’s millions to be made."

The defense fired back saying Uresti had no criminal intent and knowledge of the fraudulent way Bates was running the business. His attorney told the jury that they have to prove Uresti was thinking "a certain way" back then. He argued the government had no way to prove Uresti’s mindset at the time.

The jury went out for deliberations at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon and was dismissed around 5. The judge told the jurors to take as long as they need as long as they reach a verdict based on the evidence, not just the character of a person.

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