Posted on 08/11/2006 2:46:24 PM PDT by SmithL
A Santa Clara County superior court judge today ordered the unsealing of the vast majority of the transcript from the secret grand jury proceeding used to indict San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales and his chief budget aide on corruption charges.
About 55 pages of the 2,500-page transcript will remain sealed because releasing them "would jeopardize the defendants' right to a fair trial," Santa Clara County Judge James Emerson ruled.
"Such transcripts often contain criminal records, alleged confessions and other matter which is later ruled out as evidence at trial," Emerson wrote, citing language from a 1968 appellate court ruling. "That such information should be kept from the eyes and ears of prospective jurors is undeniably in the interest of justice."
References to what appears to be a key issue discussed in those 55 pages were redacted from the version of Emerson's seven-page ruling made available to the public today. The rest of the transcript is expected to be made available this afternoon.
Gonzales and his top budget aide, Joe Guerra, were indicted June 21 for allegedly negotiating a secret deal with Norcal Waste Systems for the city's 2000 trash hauling contract that would give Norcal an additional $11.25 million in public funds in exchange for the company having its recycling subcontractor recognize the Teamsters union and pay employees more. Norcal was also indicted in the case.
Gonzales, Guerra and Norcal, which all filed motions to get various parts of the transcripts sealed, have been accused of conspiring to defraud the public and misusing public funds.
The mayor faces six felony counts, including bribery, although prosecutors acknowledge that he did not personally receive money in the deal. Guerra was indicted on three felony counts, including conspiracy and misappropriation of funds. They each have posted $50,000 bail.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
...and Nancy Pelosi is deeply disturbed.
Just wondering about those other 55 pages. Must be something really bad.
You reckon?
heh heh heh
Should be an interesting trial.
Union mob thing.
Teamsters.
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