The LuLac Edition #1643, June 16th, 2011

BOB & A.J. TRIAL DAY 9

MUNCHAK PART 2

To kick off the day, Munchak's defense attorney, Chris Powell, calling a certified public accountant to the stand with 4 decades of experience.
Thomas A. Douaihy said he has filed more than 20,000 tax returns and is certified to testify as an expert in federal court.
Mr. Powell called Whistles Pub and Eatery owner Dan Rinaldi to talk about a $1,000-a-plate fundraiser Mr. Munchak and Mr. Cordaro held in October 2007. This is the party where Munchak supposedly took cash payments at the party.

CORDARO IN THE DOCK

Bob Cordaro always had an audacity about him that was compelling. When he conducted sales meetings at his radio station clad in a running suit and sneakers, he convinced his team that his 3 little radio stations were the second coming of CBS. When he ran for Congress against an entrenched Joe McDade at the height of his power, he had you convinced he would topple the incumbent lawmaker. Bob Cordaro’s definition of audacity would make Barack Obama’s claim on that word pitiful. Today embattled and seemingly wounded from his former vendors, Cordaro righteously defended himself. His Defense Attorney only asked him 5 questions and then stepped down. The questions related to Cordaro’s money, his law practice and business interests. Cordaro did not deny money was an important part of his life but he played the immunity card and pointed out that all of the testimony against him came from business people who cut deals. At times he was passionate, at times he was firm going beyond the scope of the questions he was asked. When stopped by the judge, Cordaro challenged that he had a right to expound since the feds were hellbent on putting him away for over 400 years. Those who know, knew or have come in contact with Bob Cordaro said that he would be his own star witness at this trial. Those thoughts were just the tip of the ice berg.
Cordaro was not shy about going after the prosecution witnesses painting them as people who were telling stories. He took special issue with John Heim saying that the businessman did indeed get a contract with the county in 2007 and did not need a bribe to get it. The former Commissioner took umbrage to remarks his brother Ronald made regarding an election as a horse race. Cordaro said it made his brother out to be a thug.
On Scranton funeral director Al Hughes Cordaro said he had a terrible gambling problem and would sometimes lose 50,000 dollars on a weekend betting football. Cordaro also disputed testimony regarding the reasons for the termination of the Kimbell and Associates contract for work on the county's intermodel center in favor of Highland Associates. Prosecutors allege Highland was extorted into paying $90,000 in kickbacks to Cordaro and Munchak.
There were some inconsistencies that might cause people to doubt Cordaro’s veracity. One of them dealt with his new house at Lake Scranton. Cordaro said the two sales agreements, one listing the price of the home at 57 Tiffany Drive at $300,000 and the other for $700,000, was seller Brian Tuffy's idea. Tuffy testified earlier that the dual agreements were . Cordaro's attempt to mask how much he paid for the home because he did not want taxpayers to get the wrong idea.
Another trip up might have been Cordaro saying that he cashed all of his paychecks as Commissioner in 2007, which made it plausible that he was “cash rich” and had walking around money. However the prosecution showed records of checks being deposited directly into Cordaro’s account.
Cordaro said that he had a lot of cash. He said it was the way people did business in his hometown Dunmore. He categorically denied there were any cash payments given to him and said he used hisa own cash reserves to buy cars, pay tuition and other items. Cordaro was combative, argumentative and articulate. Whether the jury buys what he is selling is anyone’s guess. But you have to hand it to the Cordaro and his lawyer, they offered up a defense no one, not even seasoned Judge Richard Caputo was expecting.

WHERE’D HE GET THE CASH?

Cordaro said he spent his cash because through the years he saved his money. That too might be believable especially if any of the jurors were fans of Broadway.