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May 14, 2008

CVS trial: Lights back on, testimony resuming

At 11:00 a.m., the power was still out at the U.S. District Courthouse in Providence.

The trial of two former CVS executives accused of bribing former state Sen. John Celona, had been on recess since the courtroom went dark just after 9:30 a.m.

The proceedings were moved next door the John O. Pastore Federal Building, which also houses the Post Office Annex. Then, as the everyone was getting set up in the new room, word came in:

The power was back on at the courthouse.

“I’m going to have to get a wheelchair or a skateboard,” trial spectator Mary Tassonne, 72, said as she made her way back to the courthouse.

The morning began with testimony from Clark Curtis, who worked for lobbyist Joseph W. Walsh on behalf of CVS, the giant drugstore chain based in Woonsocket. Curtis was being cross-examined by a lawyer for John Kramer, one of the defendants, when the power went out. Walsh testified yesterday.

Kramer and Carlos Ortiz are facing bribery and conspiracy charges stemming from allegations they bribed former state Sen. John Celona.

Extra: Continuing coverage of this trial and others involving local politicians and business executives in the probe called Operation Dollar Bill.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writer Edward Fitzpatrick

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 11:31 AM | Permalink

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cranston guy | May 14, 2008 12:17 PM link

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