Business associate: I hired Bruno for his contacts

ALBANY -- A business associate and friend of former New York Senate leader Joseph Bruno says he hired the longtime Republican lawmaker as a consultant for his contacts and the credibility Bruno lent to the enterprises.

In testimony Friday at Bruno's federal corruption trial, Jared Abbruzzese says Bruno first approached him about consulting while flying home from West Palm Beach, Fla., following a golf weekend in 2004.

Abbruzzese, an investor in technology companies, says Bruno was paid $20,000 a month for almost two years. He later agreed to pay Bruno $80,000 for an undersized racehorse when the consultancy ended early.

Bruno faces eight fraud counts. He's accused of using his state influence to enrich himself and deny New Yorkers his honest services.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)