UPDATE June 8, 2006 Verdict Likely Today
Pulughi's instablity likely to impact other cases. O'Grady mounts no defense. On closing his attorney asserts that no public work was promised in exchanged for cash, no proof of bribes from International Trucks.
UPDATE June 6,2006
The Star Ledger reports that Tony Palughi did indeed attempt suicide last week, and that he will continue to testify. The paper also reported that Palughi was released from UMDNJ Hospital yesterday.
There must be more to the story and Palughi's custodial status. I've never heard of a suicidal patient being released four days after the attempt. I imagine the FBI or US Marshal's office has a very close on on Tony.
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Asbury Park Editorial writer, Larry Benjamin, predicted in his blog that Ray O'Grady's Operation Bid Rig trial could be the stuff on a television court drama with political heavey weights Senator Joe Kryillos, former Assemblyman Joe Azzolina and Middletown GOP Chair Peter Carton listed as potential witnesses.
There is speculation that in addition to the "Palughi's a liar" defense, that the O'Grady dream team might use an entrapment defense, alleging that Kryillos and Carton got the US Attorney's office to launch Operation Bid Rig for their own political purposes.
The drama took an unexpected turn this morning when government witness Tony Palughi "fell ill" and was unable to testify on cross examination. There is unconfirmed speculation that Palughi attempted suicide by consuming an entire bottle of blood presure pills. O'Grady's attorney said he would ask for a mistrial if Palughi is unable to testify on Monday.
For real drama, read the transcripts of undercover recordings between Palughi, O'Grady, Steve Appolonia of International Trucks and various undercover agents.
Stay tuned for a "ripped from the headlines" episode of Law and Order next season.
Let Me Count the Ways
1 day ago
Posts
13 comments:
Vic Scudiery actually did refer to Bid Rig as entrapment.
Victor Scudiery isn't on trial for anything. He isn't part of Bid Rig, never had anything to do with it and was probably just trying to be fair regardless of party when asked for comment. Not everyone says everything with a political motivation.
It's actually a pretty obscure reference.
Not that obscure. True, he's not on trial for anything, but that sort of comment goes well beyond "just trying to be fair." It's just a dumb comment.
Being fair would be saying, "they're innocent until proven guilty", or "let's see how this investigation plays out." Calling it entrapment is something I would expect from Spalliero or Palughi, not Scudiery. It was just a dumb comment. Deal with it.
Entrapment my ass!
Maybe this will help.
If you are an elected official and someone offers you an envelope stuffed with cash...........
IT'S A TRAP!!
Victor is a humanist. He doesn't just see the person being tried. He thinks about families, kids and the like. I'm not joking. Maybe some people may think he goes too far to being a nice guy. i can see that argument, but I'm sorta glad someone does. Someone in this thing can't JUST be about the win. I know that's NOT a republican perspective in a lot of ways. But, it's how Vic plays things. Not always with the ulterior motives.
I don't know if O'Grady is guilty to a legal degree. I know that the standard should be uniform. If O'Grady is guilty of what he's charged then that standard should be applied to people throughout both parties in this county and others. After reading what I did on his transcript, if the standard is uniform then I am confident there will be great uphevels on both sides of the aisles in various factions statewide if this is a matter of guilt and it is applied uniformly.
If that is true then maybe the time has come. But that's going to mean a lot of hard times ahead for MOnmouth because I don't think a lot of people know how bad it is in some factions of the GOP. Of course, Dems in Middlesex would have their troubles too.
going to add a blogging area to the newspapers and list various blog sites.
abe and will: you guys have made all the difference in this stuff. thanks for the candor and the class.
i think this is going to be interesting.
JIM_PURCELL said...
"abe and will: you guys have made all the difference in this stuff. thanks for the candor and the class."
And thanks to you. Without the exposure you have given and your participation, this blog would not be what it is.
JIM_PURCELL said...
"going to add a blogging area to the newspapers and list various blog sites."
Is Lisa invited?!?
kramer:
she makes remarks i don't like. they're obviously humor...ok not mine...but it's not libelous. people say the same thing about me. i don't have to laugh. she wants to be unflattering...who cares? i wouldn't edit anyone who makes a stupid joke...even if it's about me, more likely especially if it's about me.
i wouldn't let it get out of hand about anyone...and so i guess i would give myself the same privilege. so, whatever, yeah i guess lisa too.
Kramer Hall:
I heard Ellen Kärcher might be there.
Will she be power washing or air bathing?
Tony would have spent at least some time in the psych ward.
Honest Abe said...
Tony would have spent at least some time in the psych ward.
No doubt. What I question is him being released in four days. That is most unusal in my limited experience.
What's to prevent him from making another attempt? Is he still free on bail? There's alot to this story that hasn't been reported
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