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May 22, 2008

CVS trial: Star witness Celona to go back on stand

The CVS corruption trial continues in federal court today with the ninth day of testimony.

The government’s star witness, corrupt ex-senator John Celona, will be on the stand for the fourth day –– and the third day of cross-examination by the defense.

Former CVS executives John R. ``Jack’’ Kramer and Carlos Ortiz are on trial for bribery, conspiracy and mail fraud for allegedly hiring Celona to do CVS’s legislative bidding at the Rhode Island State House.

Over the past few days, Kramer’s lawyer, Scott Corrigan, has tried to show that Celona earned his $1,000-a-month consulting fee by promoting CVS at senior centers and housing complexes, and on his cable-access television show. Celona has testified that whatever he did in that regard was by his own initiative, to justify the money from CVS, and not at the direction of Kramer or Ortiz.

Corrigan was scheduled to continue questioning Celona today in the federal courtroom of Chief U.S. District Judge Mary M. Lisi. When Corrigan finishes, Ortiz’s lawyer, Mark L. Smith, will have his turn.

-- Journal staff writer Mike Stanton

Posted by Jack Perry  at 7:09 AM | Permalink

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