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« Kennedy doesn't want to forget about racing in Figawi | Today | Blackstone to host primer on sustainable tourism » May 21, 2008CVS trial: Celona says he doesn't recall some evidencePROVIDENCE -- What did John Celona do for CVS? The corrupt ex-North Providence senator has testified that he did CVS’s legislative bidding at the state house for his $1,000-a-month consulting fee, and that he never performed the community outreaches spelled out in his consulting agreement. When under cross examination for the second day today in the federal trial against two former CVS executives accused of bribing him, Celona was confronted with his own words –– from e-mail correspondence, grand jury testimony and statements of FBI agents –– that he had done some community outreach for CVS, the Woonsocket-based drugstore giant. Scott Corrigan, a lawyer for defendant John Kramer, showed Celona an e-mail he wrote to defendant Carlos Ortiz in early 2001, after his first year as a consultant, stating that he had visited senior centers and housing complexes to explain CVS services and to tout CVS as “today’s neighborhood drug store.” This was after Celona had told Corrigan that he could not recall doing so. Corrigan also produced a 2001 letter from Ortiz to Celona enclosing 5 $20 CVS gift cards for Celona to use as door prizes at a senior health fair. He also showed Celona a 2002 Kramer expense report indicating Kramer had attended a CVS-sponsored event hosted by Celona at Amos House, and an e-mail from Kramer’s assistant requesting Celona’s presence at a CVS State House press event. Celona replied that he didn’t recall either occasion. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Mary M. Lisi has scolded Celona a few times, telling him to stay on track. “Mr. Celona, listen to the question,” said Lisi. “Answer the question.” -- Journal staff writer Mike Stanton Posted by Brandie Jefferson CommentsOutraged | May 21, 2008 12:06 PM link There doesn't seem to be much of a case here. Frank Martin | May 21, 2008 12:41 PM link I hope Irons is the next one to go to jail,he is as guilty as the rest. Maybe this will send a message to the rest of the deal makers in this state. We are called by other people in the state as Rouge Island, Lets do something about dirty politics. armando | May 21, 2008 8:09 PM link a good read. laptop battery | June 5, 2008 9:31 PM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
What is most outrageous about yesterday's testimony is that it PROVES that there is a power structure in place at the RI General Assembly (i.e., the leadership) that is deciding in advance of committee hearings what bills will be voted upon (and approved or denied) and holding state Representatives and Senators accountable for their allegiance to this corrupt process. This practice (well known for years among advocates) precludes the power of the people to participate in government. Every single elected official who has ever taken a walk in response to pressure by the leadership should resign, because they are not doing the job they have sworn to do. This is the most corrupt state I have ever lived in. The Feds should be investigating the RI General Assembly, not CVS.