Bruno "Very, Very Disappointed" With Verdict, Vows To Fight On

Photograph of Bruno with his son by Mike Groll

Former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, who was found guilty on two of eight charges in a federal corruption trial, said “I am very, very disappointed in the verdict. The legal process is going to continue. In my mind and in my heart, it is not over until it’s over. And I think it’s far from over. Thank you all, have a good night and merry Christmas."

The Post reports, "The stunning verdict - which will be widely seen as a condemnation of Albany’s pay-to-play culture and the practice of allowing lawmakers to keep lucrative side jobs - casts a pall over the decade Bruno spent as one of the state’s most powerful Republicans." Indeed, Bruno's decades sending money to his upstate district loomed large; a juror told the Times-Union, "It was very hard to convict him when he's done so much for the area. But we couldn't look at that. Our job was to decide the case based on the evidence presented to us." (The Observer has a roundup of more observations.)

The two guilty charges—mail and wire fraud—were related to his dealings with upstate businessman Jared Abbruzzese, one involving fees Bruno got for a consulting business with Abbruzzese and another related to a horse breeding partnership. Bruno faces up to 20 years per count, plus $250,000 in fines each. Sentencing is next March.

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By Jen Chung in News on December 8, 2009 11:39 AM

Comments [rss]

MT

Cuomo should indict everyone in Albany and clean them out of there. I'm sure at least the majority are guilty of fraud and corruption. That way when he becomes Governor maybe he'll actually be able to work with people who want to do something other than screw us over.

felixthecat2

Cuomo would have to indict himself and his father. Have you seen their sources of contribution.

felixthecat2

Those citizens who want to contact Judge Sharpe and tell him to Give BRUNO the MAXIMUM 20 YEARS can do so at gsharpe@courts.state.ny.us . I am big on citizen input.

Judge Gary L. Sharpe

U.S. District Court

Northern District of New York

NannyState

"Dear Judge Gary L. Sharpe,

Execution by hanging please. And can I bring my knitting with me when I watch?

Thank You"

felixthecat2

Great Letter. :0

ANGRYGOD11

Bruno is a corrupt scumbucket, but he's 80 years old. Do you really want him to die in prison as if he shot a cop? I'm OK with a 3-5 years and if he dies in prison, so be it.

felixthecat2

Age shouldn't be a factor. IF you do the crime then do the time. In fact, he and Madoff are lucky they were caught in their prime.

felixthecat2

Age shouldn't be a factor. IF you do the crime then do the time. In fact, he and Madoff are lucky they WEREN"Tcaught in their prime.

ANGRYGOD11

If Bruno was just 35 years old he wouldn't get 20 years for mail and wire fraud, so why press that issue? And don't debase your argument by mentioning Madoff, as his victims with real problems could form a line around the block.

felixthecat2

You mentioned the shooting of the cop. He is lucky he wasn't caught during his prime when he was spending that money. He led a RICH lifestyle at the expense of taxpayers and residents. Now he is OLD and can retire at a Federal Penthouse. Most criminals, I am certain, would rather be incarcerated when they're Old instead of losing their youth in jail.

ANGRYGOD11

I meant let's not act as if he was a cop killer and lock him up to die in prison for wire and mail fraud.

This brings the interesting point if a white collar crook like Bruno is worse off spending his 80's in prison. At that age he's expecting to be praised for his career and surrounded by well-wishers and great-grandchildren, not asking a 20 year old prison guard permission to use the toilet during the holidays.

felixthecat2

great point but for me I rather spend my youth banging hot chicks and then serve my time (if I committed a crime) when I'm wearing depends. Bruno had the luxury of raising his kids and living a lavish lifestyle (this is why I mentioned Madoff). of course he would prefer to be home with his grandkids but as I stated " Do the crime then do the time.". There are pregnant women in jail, cancer-stricken people in jail, etc. Why should Bruno be treated differently? Let him rot in jail.

ANGRYGOD11

I quite agree he should rot in prison. But, pressing for 20 years isn't realistic.

BTW, elderly non-violent prisoners like him are usually segregated, so maybe he'll BE the hot chick everyone is banging.

felixthecat2

LMFAO. He'll be Queen of the Ball and his dance card will be full. Realistically, I doubt he'll serve much time. I don't have much faith in this system. I hope the Judge doesn't cave in to all the political pressure to let Bruno off easy.

Mordicai

Heck yeah-- actual blows against actual corruption?

felixthecat2

Actually Bruno has all this cronies including elected officials sending the judge letters attesting to his character and years of public service