Is County Commissioner Handy's trial tainted?

U.S. District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa has publicly questioned prosecutors from the bench as to why they didn’t file tougher charges against former Hidalgo County Precinct 1 Commissioner Sylvia Handy.

In setting Handy’s sentencing for July 9, the judge again expressed frustration over trying to reconcile the testimony he has heard in court with requirements set out under complex federal sentencing guidelines.

Did Handy get a better deal because of her connections?