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Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesTUTEIN DENIES BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS

TUTEIN DENIES BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS

On the witness stand Wednesday in St. Thomas District Court, former V.I. senator John Tutein denied allegations that he tried to bribe Sen. Allie-Allison Petrus or offered vehicles in return for support of Innovative Communication Corp.
In the second full day of the federal bribery trial, Tutein, a vice president in Jeffrey Prosser's ICC, said he went to Petrus' office in October 1998 to give the senator a $300 campaign contribution. When Tutein was asked by his attorney, Treston Moore, whether he had offered Petrus money in exchange for votes or to drop an envelope full of $100 bills at the feet of the senator's "man of business," Tutein was adamant.
"Never, not me," Tutein said, adding that the term "man of business" was one he never uses. "I don't use phrases like that. It's not in my vernacular."
Key prosecution witness Lorraine Harley Schuster, however, said that in a February 1999 visit to Tutein's St. Croix home to solicit funds for Graffiti Street, a youth television show that she and Petrus produce, Tutein conditioned a donation of a $26,000 van on Petrus' support of the "Prosser deal."
Tutein said he wouldn't help get a van, according to Schuster, "as long as that asshole Petrus is working with Graffiti Street."
Schuster went on to say that Tutein offered to give the program anything as long as she talked to Petrus.
"He has to vote for anything that comes across the (Senate) floor for us," Schuster quoted Tutein as saying.
Later in the trial, Tutein denied Schuster's take on the conversation
Meanwhile, Tutein's defense team again made a motion to have Judge Thomas Moore dismiss the case. Defense attorney Treston Moore argued that the federal government does not have sufficient evidence to prosecute Tutein and questioned whether it has jurisdiction in the case.
Attorney Moore said the October 1998 incident in Petrus' office didn't constitute a bribe because there was no quid pro quo.
"There was nothing of any venture in there that a court could constitute a bribe," he said, adding that nothing was given "to suggest a bribe was intended, offered or even communicated."
Attorney Moore also questioned how a jury could link the October 1998 and February 1999 incidents, saying any attempt would be "really stretching it."
"It's a breathtaking leap in logic," he said. "My client is in jeopardy of losing his liberty on something as flimsy as that."
The defense then questioned whether the case should even be in District Court. In order to prosecute the case, the U.S. Attorney's Office argued that because the V.I. government receives more than $10,000 a year in federal funds, it has jurisdiction.
But attorney Moore said that the federal tie is a tenuous one because there was no direct connection between the alleged bribe and any programs that receive federal funds.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Curtis Gomez, however, argued that because the federal government is in the position to audit the V.I. government, a bribe and a subsequent outcome would make it impossible to have an accurate accounting of federal funds. As for Tutein's assertions that he was only making a campaign contribution to Petrus, Gomez said Schuster's testimony about her February conversation with Tutein was enough to link the two incidents.
"We know what was on his mind because he clearly told Mrs. Schuster," Gomez said. "His agenda was clear and corrupt."
After hearing both sides, Judge Moore denied the defense's motion. He based his ruling on the Virgin Islands' status as a territory and on the fact that Petrus has a vested stake in Graffiti Street.
The trial could wrap up Thursday after the defense calls more of its witnesses. Expected to testify are Sens. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, Adelbert Bryan and Lorraine Berry.
The trial resumes at 9 a.m. in District Court on St. Thomas.

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