Posted at: 11/02/2009 11:11 AM
Updated at: 11/02/2009 5:39 PM
By: AP

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Opening arguments heard in Bruno's corruption trial

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Opening arguments are over in the case of former New York state Senate Republican leader Joseph Bruno, accused of corruption in office.

The first witnesses are expected to be questioned Tuesday and give a never seen glimpse at how Albany's most powerful figures operate behind closed doors.

Once a top power broker in New York, the 80-year-old Bruno is accused of using his position to collect more than $3 million in return for using his influence to benefit labor unions and private businessmen.

He has pleaded not guilty and denounced the eight-count January indictment as a politically motivated fishing expedition.

Bruno seized the Senate's majority leadership post in a 1994 overthrow. He retired in July 2008 after more than 30 years representing an Albany-area district.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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