Former Schneider administration officials Maureen Bryan and Alvin Battiste pleaded not guilty to all charges against them in their arraignment Thursday morning in Territorial Court, following the lead set two weeks ago by former governor Roy L. Schneider and aide Dean Wallace.
This completes not guilty pleas by all four defendants in the charges the government has filed against them of conspiracy, fraud and falsification of records.
Two weeks ago the government opened the case with the arraignment of Schneider and Wallace. Wallace was Schneider's former acting Finance commissioner.
The charges against the four stemmed from the use of government funds to pay for a room at Frenchman's Reef after Hurricane Marilyn that was occupied by Walter Brunner, a consultant to the government. The room was registered in the name of Jean Greaux, who at the time was a Government House information officer and considered an essential government employee.
Bryan, who was Schneider's former executive assistant, was represented by attorney Gary M. Alizzeo of the law firm Dudley, Topper and Feuerzeig.
Battiste, until last month director of management and budget for the Governor's Office, was represented by attorney Leonard B. Francis. Battiste has been transferred to the Public Works Department.
Both Francis and Alizzeo asked Swan for a "speedy" jury trial.
Joseph Arellano, one Schneider's defense attorneys, added, "if it goes to trial."
There appears to be some doubt that the case will proceed to trial, with a flurry of motions coming from defense attorneys.
Arellano asked Swan for early hearing dates for motions for probable cause and on the statute of limitations. Both matters were brought up in the earlier arraignments.
Schneider was not present at the proceedings though his wife, Barbara, was in the audience.
Swan set 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 21, at the Justice Department conference room for the attorneys to present their discoveries — the evidence to be introduced at the trial.
The attorneys have 45 days after the Tuesday meeting to file motions. The date for jury selection is tentatively set for Monday, June 5.
Swan touched again Thursday on the possibility of recusing himself, something he spoke about at length at Schneider's arraignment two weeks ago.
He made no definitive statement but noted that attorney Rhys Hodge, recently appointed to the bench, probably would not be available for "at least three months," until he closes his private practice.
