Bruno conviction nix looms
ALBANY — The corruption case that helped expose Albany’s shakedown culture — the conviction of former Senate boss Joseph Bruno — is expected to crumble after yesterday’s bombshell rulings by the Supreme Court.
The court’s unanimous decision — limiting the sweeping federal “honest services” anti-corruption law only to cases involving clear bribery or kickbacks — means the ex-majority leader could see his conviction on two felony fraud counts overturned, observers predicted.
And he could be cleared as soon as today.
A federal jury convicted Bruno in December of hiding $280,000 in consulting fees from an Albany-area businessman who was seeking help from the Legislature.
In fact, prosecutors admitted during a monthlong trial in Albany that they couldn’t prove the senator was guilty of a quid pro quo.
“[The ruling] gives Senator Bruno tremendous ammunition to attack the conviction and I’m not even sure the prosecution would even try to make that argument,” said Paul DerOhannesian II, a legal analyst who sat through much of trial.
The 81-year- old Republican told friends that he’s “pleased” and “hopeful” of walking free.
Judge Gary Sharpe in May ordered Bruno to pay $280,000 in restitution and serve two years in prison, but allowed him to remain free until the Supreme Court pondered the law.
