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May 5, 2008

Update: Jury selection begins in trial of ex-CVS execs

PROVIDENCE -- Jury selection got under way today in federal court in the corruption trial of two former CVS drugstore executives accused of bribing a Rhode Island state senator.

John Kramer and Carlos Ortiz are charged with bribery and conspiracy to steal the honest services of former state Sen. John A. Celona of North Providence, who is serving a 2-1/2 year prison term after admitting to selling his office to CVS, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and Roger Williams Medical Center.

Chief U.S. District Judge Mary M. Lisi told prospective jurors that the trial could last four weeks. Opening arguments are scheduled for next Monday, giving lawyer for the prosecution and the defense this week to choose a jury from about 112 prospective jurors.

To aid in the screening process, the court sent out 18-page questionnaires to would-be jurors about five weeks ago. The questionnaires not only asked whether jurors knew any of the key players in the case, but also probed their feelings about the high cost of prescription drugs and their general knowledge of corruption in Rhode Island.

``The health-care industry is such a profit center, there should be reform,’’ one prospective juror told the judge today. Nevertheless, she said that she could be impartial.

Many prospective jurors said that they were generally aware of the allegations involving Celona, Woonsocket-based CVS -- the nation's biggest drugstore chain -- Blue Cross, Roger Williams, and two other legislators who have been linked to CVS, former House Majority Leader Gerard Martineau and former Senate President William Irons. But they said they didn’t know specifics, and felt that they could keep an open mind in weighing the evidence.

At least three jurors, asked about corruption in general in Rhode Island, alluded to the corrupt reign of Buddy Cianci, the former felonious mayor of Providence, who was convicted in the same Providence courthouse.

One elderly woman, asked if she could provide specific examples of Rhode Island corruption, replied, ``No, because there’s just too much.’’

-- Journal staff writer Mike Stanton

Extra: For more background, see projo.com's special report on the U.S. Attorney's Operation Dollar Bill investigation.

Posted by Jack Perry  at 6:18 PM | Permalink

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Bill | May 6, 2008 4:44 AM link

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