Highlights from Guidry’s testimony

Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2000 | 5:11 a.m.

Highlights from Robert Guidry's testimony Tuesday in the federal racketeering trial of former Gov. Edwin Edwards.

COOL CASH: A man who made millions in the tugboat business and millions more as a riverboat casino owner, Guidry liked to keep some of his cash at home. He testified that he would store as much as $1.5 million at his house, some under a hot tub, some in a safe and some wrapped in cellophane and aluminum foil and stowed away in a large freezer. "I stuffed it under the ducks and deer," he said.

HOT TIMES: When the state fire marshal's office started demanding that Guidry replace a barge being used as a land-to-riverboat bridge at Guidry's Treasure Chest casino, Guidry asked Andrew Martin for help. It was during Edwin Edwards' last term as governor and Martin, an aide to Edwards, demanded 2 percent of Treasure Chest proceeds and a job, Guidry said.

Martin said the money was going to be used for his retirement, Guidry said.

Guidry got an extended deadline for replacing the barge. Then, after Edwards left office, Guidry said he tried to get out of the deal with Martin.

Martin's reply, according to Guidry: "Just like we can help you, we can hurt you. Just because we are out of office doesn't mean that we can't help or hurt you."

HOME DELIVERY: For the second time in the trial, Guidry directly linked Edwards to an alleged illegal scheme, saying he delivered money to Edwards' Baton Rouge home.

He said that in December of 1996, he went to Edwards' Baton Rouge residence. The purpose, Guidry said, was to talk to the former governor about local option elections on video poker and to view the house because Guidry was considering building a residence.

But he also carried one of a series of cash payoffs he said were made in return for Edwards' help, during his final term, in getting the Treasure Chest a license.

"I went to his house and that's when I left the money in a carryall for him."

TRASHY TESTIMONY: Guidry also said he made a payment to the former governor's son Stephen. And he left money for Andrew Martin in trash bins, one behind a medical building, another at a barbecue restaurant where ashes were dumped.

MIDAS TOUCH: Guidry said he made about $34 million with the Treasure Chest between 1994 and 1997. He sold the casino in October 1997 for $72 million to Boyd Gaming.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR HIM: Defense lawyers have made it clear they intend to emphasize the fact that Guidry is testifying under a plea agreement with federal prosecutors. Prosecutors, in their questioning of Guidry on Monday, appeared to be trying in advance to soften the effect of that argument.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Harper asked Guidry why he pleaded guilty. "I knew I did something wrong. I wanted to get it behind me," Guidry said.

Guidry pleaded guilty to an extortion charge for paying the Edwardses and Martin a total of $1.5 million to ensure state approval of the Treasure Chest. Guidry was fined $3.5 million and could face five years in prison.

"Do you think you will go to jail now?" Harper asked.

"I think so." Guidry said.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Sometimes Louisiana politics makes me sick," Stephen Edwards is heard saying on a tape made in April 1997. He was talking about safety requirements of riverboats.