Legal News

Grand jury testimony alleges special perks for councilman in San Jacinto corruption trial

By Richard Binder

According to grand jury transcripts released yesterday, builder Randy Wastal delivered testimony about how developer Stephen Holgate sold San Jacinto Councilman Jim Ayres and his wife Nancy a home in the Enclave community for thousands less than it was worth. 

Builder Randy Wastal also delivered testimony in front of the grand jury about how Holgate bankrolled improvements to the development that benefited the Ayreses, who agreed years prior to buy a home in the subdivision. 

Paul Grech, Holgate's attorney, noted that Ayres and Holgate were not given a chance to tell their side to the grand jury.

Holgate and the Ayreses were indicted last month with six others in a probe into vote buying, bribery and campaign kickbacks. The other defendants are Mayor Dale Stubblefield, Councilman John Mansperger, Councilman James Potts, developer Robert Osborne, Byron Jerry Ellison and businessman Scott Shaull. All nine defendants have pleaded not guilty. The next court date is Jan. 15.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on December 09, 2009 (boomark / email).