Witnesses granted immunity at Bruno trial

ALBANY - The jury at the trial of former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno heard from two witnesses Wednesday who were guaranteed they would not be prosecuted before testifying.

The constitution guarantees all of us the right not to incriminate ourselves. That means no one can be forced to testify in court if it might result in criminal charges.

When the prosecution wants a witness to testify anyway they can grant immunity, which happened twice Wednesday.

As long as attorney Helen George tells the truth, she can't be prosecuted for what she said in Federal Court. George spent nearly 20 years as in-house lawyer for Wright Investors Service. The Connecticut company paid Bruno more than $1 million to steer clients their way.

The government is trying to prove those clients had business with Bruno as a powerful state senator.

Under securities law, Bruno was required to inform clients he was being paid by Wright.

George testified there was no record at the company that Bruno ever made those required disclosures.

However, the legal responsibility to make those disclosures apparently belongs to the company under securities law, not to Bruno as the consultant, then part-time employee.

The jury was not told, but can probably conclude, that Wright executives broke the law in dealing with Bruno, especially when a second company executive was granted immunity to testify late Wednesday afternoon.

Earlier witnesses established that Bruno did not want his business ventures publicized, which could explain the claims of no legal disclosures.

Bruno is not being directly prosecuted for failing to make the disclosure notices. However, it's part of the underlying claim that he unlawfully hid his various business ventures, depriving the public of his honest services.

Testimony continues Thursday.