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May 14, 2008

CVS trial: Power failure interrupts cross-examination

Journal photo / Mary Murphy
Clark Curtis, a lobbyist who worked for CVS lobbyist Joseph Walsh, arrives at the U.S. District Court today to testify in the corruption trial of two former CVS executives.

PROVIDENCE -- The courtroom went dark this morning as a lobbyist who'd worked on behalf of CVS, was testifying in a federal trial in which two former CVS executives face bribery charges.

The federal court building lost power at 9:37 a.m., and Judge Mary M. Lisi asked a marshal to see the jury out for a recess that she hoped would be short.

"We'll be in recess until we figure out what's going on," she said.

About 2 minutes later, the lights came back on, only to flicker and turn out less than 10 minutes later.

As of 9:55 a.m., the building was running on generator power. Twenty minutes later, it was still on generator power, but the court was scheduled to reconvene at 11 a.m.

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 reporter Edward Fitzpatrick

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 10:19 AM | Permalink

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