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January 29, 2008

Testimony begins in trial of ex-Lincoln administrator

Former Lincoln town administrator Jonathan F. Oster faces two charges of bribery and two counts of conspiracy for alleged activities during his tenure as town administrator, from 2000 to 2002.

The first morning of testimony in his trial in Superior Court, Providence, was taken up mostly by current Lincoln Town Clerk Karen Allen as the state began to lay the groundwork for its case.

The state introduced into evidence town land records and tax assessor records mostly concerning a piece of property on Route 116 known as the H&H Screw company land. The property figures prominently in the state’s case, as it claims Oster took bribes in exchange for promises to sell it.

On cross examination, defense lawyer C. Leonard O’Brien challenged some of the records, particularly those from the assessors, office that discussed the value of the land.

O’Brien argued that since Allen wasn’t involved in production or recording of the records, she was not qualified to testify about them, and therefore they should not have been entered into evidence.

Associate Justice Gilbert V. Indeglia overruled O'Brien's objection, admitting the records into the official court documents.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writer John Hill

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 12:20 PM | Permalink

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