Top House Democrat testifies in Currie trial
My Sun colleague Tricia Bishop reporting from the federal courthouse in Baltimore:
Prince George's County Del. Dereck E. Davis, who chairs the House Economic Matters Committee, was called to the witness stand this morning in extortion trial of state Sen. Ulysses Currie.
His testimony, which lasted about a half hour, focused on a late amendment added to a bill during the 2005 legislative session that transferred a liquor license from one Shoppers Food Warehouse store to another at Currie's request.
Currie is accused of taking bribes from Shoppers' executives in exchange for legislative favors.
Davis said on the stand that, during the final "hectic" days of a legislative session, late amendments can get passed without thorough scrutiny by lawmakers.
"It's not uncommon for a member to have missed what was going on," Davis said.
Former Sen. John A. Giannetti is on the stand now.
Prince George's County Del. Dereck E. Davis, who chairs the House Economic Matters Committee, was called to the witness stand this morning in extortion trial of state Sen. Ulysses Currie.
His testimony, which lasted about a half hour, focused on a late amendment added to a bill during the 2005 legislative session that transferred a liquor license from one Shoppers Food Warehouse store to another at Currie's request.
Currie is accused of taking bribes from Shoppers' executives in exchange for legislative favors.
Davis said on the stand that, during the final "hectic" days of a legislative session, late amendments can get passed without thorough scrutiny by lawmakers.
"It's not uncommon for a member to have missed what was going on," Davis said.
Former Sen. John A. Giannetti is on the stand now.
Comments
It doesn't surprise me that another Democrat is corrupt. It has appeared to me that most of them from bottom to top, have their pockets open for payoffs. Vote them all out.
Posted by: Michael | October 6, 2011 1:00 PM
Members of the Md. Legislature do now know what is going on? Surely you jest
Posted by: Ferndale Slim | October 6, 2011 1:54 PM
Grow up. Political corruption, utter lack of integrity, and general idiocy are equally characteristic of both parties. It is an exceptional person that makes a decent, intelligent public servant. I have come to realize that the party has nothing to do with it. In fact, it is our frat-like party system, and all of the toga-wearing, shouting public, that discourages good intelligent people from even wanting to get in. Speak intelligently or don't speak.
Posted by: The Bear! | October 6, 2011 4:25 PM