Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Score one for the defense!
To prove mail fraud, the feds have to prove that a letter was actually mailed.
FBI agent Manna just testified that he can't be sure that a letter from Phil Chartock sent "with the assistance of Mariano" to a city official was actually mailed.
As a result, prosecutor Mike Schwartz just moved that Count 7 in the indictment - a mail fraud charge - be withdrawn.
The councilman's lawyer didn't object.
That leaves just seven other mail fraud counts remaining.
Plus one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud.
Plus eight counts of wire fraud.
And various money laundering, bribery and tax counts. ¶ 10:41 AM
FBI agent Manna just testified that he can't be sure that a letter from Phil Chartock sent "with the assistance of Mariano" to a city official was actually mailed.
As a result, prosecutor Mike Schwartz just moved that Count 7 in the indictment - a mail fraud charge - be withdrawn.
The councilman's lawyer didn't object.
That leaves just seven other mail fraud counts remaining.
Plus one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud.
Plus eight counts of wire fraud.
And various money laundering, bribery and tax counts. ¶ 10:41 AM
