Jurors mulling ex-judge’s future

Thursday, Dec. 18, 1997 | 11:18 a.m.

A federal court jury continued deliberations today in the bribery, corruption and racketeering trial of former District Judge Gerard Bongiovanni.

After listening to two hours of instructions on the law Wednesday from U.S. District Judge Lloyd George, the seven-woman, five-man jury deliberated for about five hours before being sent home for the night.

The jury is being asked to decide if Bongiovanni, 51, took bribes and other payoffs for judicial favors or gave special treatment to friends during 1994 and 1995.

The FBI conducted nearly two years of wiretaps and other surveillence and even set up a "sting" operation that involved the judge's close friend Paul Dottore. The result was a raid on Bongiovanni's house and the discovery of $500 in marked money in the judge's pocket.

But Bongiovanni testified early this week at his trial that the money was a repayment of a loan he had made to his friend.

Dottore, who was convicted of bank fraud and then agreed to become a federal informant for a reduced sentence, conceded that he owed $500 to Bongiovanni but testified that the money in the judge's pocket was a bribe.

Defense attorney Thomas Pitaro contended that the government's case revolves around Dottore's testimony and he has admitted he is a liar and scam artist that the jury shouldn't believe.

Prosecutors argued that Dottore's story is supported by the wiretaps and Bongiovanni should be convicted.