Espy trial starts ThursdayBy Terry Frieden/CNNWASHINGTON (September 30) -- Former Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy goes on trial in Washington Thursday on 38 counts of illegally accepting gifts from businesses regulated by his department. Lawyers said the trial could take six to eight weeks. Independent Counsel Donald Smaltz charged Espy with accepting thousands of dollars in gifts from Tyson's Foods, Sun Diamond Growers, Quaker Oats, and other agricultural firms while he was Secretary of Agriculture. Prosecutors said they have 100 witnesses available, but they expect far fewer to actually take the stand. "We'll make tactical decisions about that as the trial proceeds," said one prosecutor who asked not to be identified. Prosecutors said they would present a substantial amount of documentary evidence, which prompted U.S. District Court Judge Ricardo Urbina to move the case to the "electronic courtroom" on the fourth floor of the federal courthouse. The courtroom has facilities for the judge, jurors, lawyers and spectators to easily see the documentary evidence. Veteran defense counsel Reid Weingarten heads the legal team representing Espy. One attorney familiar with the case said the two sides are communicating, and although he refused to completely rule out a plea bargain agreement, he said, "I'm not looking for it". Smaltz was appointed independent counsel in the case following a recommendation by Attorney General Janet Reno. But Smaltz has frequently found himself at odds with the Justice Department during his attempts to expand the scope of his investigation. |
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MORE STORIES:Wednesday, September 30, 1998
Democrats push for alternative 'Watergate' model $80 billion tax cut unlikely to pass in the Senate Espy trial starts Thursday Clinton wins Australia radio poll to be next Prime Minister Democrats working on 'censure-plus' alternative Democratic fund-raiser charged in 17-count indictment Likely voters are more critical of Clinton, poll finds Jones team files final brief to have lawsuit reinstated Transcript: President Bill Clinton hails budget surplus Hillary Clinton: Women on the brink of great leadership roles First Lady not new to impeachment Poll: Clinton probe a moral lesson History of presidential lying Market jitters having little effect on view of Social Security options Peek at '74 impeachment resolution |