‘Hogwash!’: Joe Bruno begins his second trial

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Jimmy Vielkind

ALBANY—Lawyers defending former Senate majority leader Joe Bruno suggested in court Monday that Governor George Pataki could take the witness stand to testify on behalf of his fellow Republican.

Bruno, 85, is facing his second trial for depriving the public of the right to honest services by engaging in what prosecutors described as a “quid pro quo bribery scheme."

In opening arguments on Monday, assistant U.S. attorney Elizabeth Coombe said Bruno accepted a $20,000-a-month consultancy from Jared Abbruzzese for which he did no actual work. Instead, the government argued, Bruno helped companies in which Abbruzzese was an investor as they attempted to take over New York's racetracks and steered money toward a public private partnership between Evident Technologies and Russell Sage College in Troy.

State legislators may hold outside jobs, Coombe noted, “so long as the legislator performs work in exchange for the payments.”

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2014/05/8544836/hogwash-joe-bruno-begins-his-second-trial?top-featured-3

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1. Bruno s former secretary, assistant takes stand during first day of testimony

http://www.troyrecord.com/general-news/20140506/abbruzzese-expected-to-testify-today-at-bruno-trial

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2. ‘Did you ever bribe Senator Bruno?’

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2014/05/8545082/did-you-ever-bribe-senator-bruno

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3. Witness denies any kickbacks

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Witness-denies-any-kickbacks-5463170.php

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4. Jared Abbuzzese testifies, says he paid Joseph Bruno for consulting work

http://www.troyrecord.com/general-news/20140509/jared-abbruzzese-testifies-says-he-paid-joseph-bruno-for-consulting-work