“Todd Howe, the lobbyist-turned-cooperator testifying at the bribery trial of a former aide to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, was quizzed Tuesday over his arrest last week on a bail violation, telling jurors it stemmed from what he called a misunderstanding about his testimony.
Wearing a dark suit, and with a U.S. Marshal in tow, a subdued Howe endured a third day of tough defense questions at the corruption trial of former Cuomo “right-hand man” Joe Percoco and three businessman. The trial, overseen by Manhattan U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni, is now in its fourth week.
Percoco is charged with taking $287,000 of bribes from co-defendant Peter G. Kelly Jr. for help he gave to Kelly’s energy company, Competitive Power Ventures Holdings LLC. Percoco is also accused of taking $35,000 from two additional co-defendants, Joseph Gerardi and Steven Aiello, for helping their real estate concern, COR Development Co., win contracts.
The first notable thing about Howe’s Tuesday afternoon return to the stand in the wake of his Thursday evening arrest was Judge Caproni’s silence on the issue. A prosecutor had asked the judge Monday to take it upon herself to instruct the jury related to the arrest — but she declined.”
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