Another long trial expected for ex-NY lawmaker
Posted at: 11/23/2012 11:17 AM
By: Associated Press
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ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The retired state senator who was one of New York's most powerful politicians faces only two fraud charges in his second scheduled trial, but a federal judge is expecting another weeks-long proceeding.
Meanwhile, prosecutors and defense lawyers have been wrangling over a questionnaire aimed at expeditiously weeding out potential jurors who may have bias about retired Sen. Joseph Bruno.
The 83-year-old Bruno, a Rensselaer County Republican, was Senate majority leader for 13 years until stepping down in 2008.
He went on trial the next year after being accused of improperly using his office for personal gain. A jury acquitted Bruno of five counts of "honest services fraud."
An appeals court overturned his two convictions, saying prosecutors must prove actual bribery.
The trial, set to start Feb. 4, is expected to last two to three weeks.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
