Bruno Trial: Testimony from Laborers and a Senator

Monday's testimony consisted mostly of laborers and a Senator. Republican Senator, Bill Larkin testified. Most of the testimony surrounded around Former Senate Majority Leader, Joe Bruno's connection to Wright Investment Services and what about that relationship was disclosed to unions. One Union leader from Niagara Falls, Mark Congi, testified that his former boss, who is now deceased, Mike Quarcini believed if the union's pension fund was invested with Wright Investment Services, it could help the union's legislative agenda. Congi told the court, " He felt to make Mr. Bruno happy, we should invest in the company nd he would in turn do favors for us." Congi testified that in 2001 Local 91 invested 20 percent of its pension fund with Wright Investment Services.

Senator Larkin, was also on the stand testifying about a phone call the Government says he was asked to make, by someone in Senator Bruno's office, to leaders of a local Teamsters union, regarding investing with Wright Investors. Larkin told the court he was not aware that Bruno was employed by Wright Investors. Prosecutors asked, if he had been aware, would he have still made the call. Larkin responded, " Hindsight is a wonderful thing I guess, I'm not sure I would have."