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SFL Monday Monday.

It's cold, rainy, dreary, and wet, everywhere I look there are toxic assets -- and I haven't even left my house yet.

Welcome to Monday.

Let's see, I like happy endings, don't you?

Here's one for the Carlton Fields white collar trial team of Mike Pasano, Paul Calli, and Marissel Descalzo, who represented attorney Luisa Inclan Bird:

A jury found Puerto Rico's former governor not guilty Friday on all nine counts including conspiracy, money laundering and lying to the FBI, concluding his monthlong corruption trial.

Anibal Acevedo Vila, who could have faced 20 years in prison if convicted, was the first governor to be charged with a crime since the island became a semiautonomous U.S. commonwealth in 1952.

Acevedo made the sign of the cross as he heard the verdict and began to cry, as did former adviser Luisa Inclan, who was also cleared of similar charges.

Judge Paul Barbadoro faced both defendants after the verdict. "This case has ended. You are free to go," he said.

The acquittal is a major blow to the U.S. Attorney's office, which prosecuted the governor in an election year ? likely contributing to his defeat in one of the most lopsided elections in Puerto Rican history.

U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodriguez said Friday that she respects but disagrees with the verdict. She also denied that evidence was weak.

"The circumstantial evidence allowed for inferences to be made that the jury did not understand as such, but we accept that," she said.

In other words -- great prosecution, dumb jury. Congrats guys!

In other news, our elusive butterfly may have spread his wings again, and we are looking for Peggyann Delaney in connection with a 50th high school reunion. Any leads, please let me know.

Sheesh, what am I, the local pennysaver?

Full post as published by South Florida Lawyers on March 23, 2009 (boomark / email).