BREAKING NEWS: Gloria Jones-Grant, a key prosecution witness in the corruption trial of CM Larry Seabrook says she has dementia.
This marks a second setback in the government’s case against Seabrook. On Day 1 of the trial, Leon Eastmond denied participating in the alleged kickback scheme.
On re-direct, assistant US Attorney Wible tried to imply that Jones-Grant may have had an illicit conversation with the defendant. Ms. Jones-Grant admitted to speaking with CM Seabrook three weeks ago. Read more below.
http://www.wnyc.org/blogs/wnyc-news-blog/2011/nov/29/key-witness-seabrook-corruption-trial-says-she-suffers-dementia/
One of the government’s key witnesses in the federal corruption trial of Councilman Larry Seabrook admitted under cross examination Tuesday that she has been under the care of a physician for the early stages of dementia.
The witness, 71-year-old Gloria Jones-Grant, was Seabrook’s former girlfriend and executive director of the three non-profits Seabrook allegedly used to pocket more than a $1 million in earmarked City Council discretionary funds.
Jones-Grant was granted federal immunity from prosecution from the government in exchange for her testimony, which has been halting and contradictory.
Seabrook’s lead attorney Ed Wilford asked Jones-Grant if she had advised the government of her diagnosis during her meeting with federal investigators in the fall. She said she had not.
Throughout the morning Jones-Grant testified that cash she had passed on to Seabrook from consultant contracts he had helped her get were not nefarious but installments on an $18,000 personal loan from Seabrook.
Under re-direct by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Wible Jones-Grant said she had spoken with Seabrook three weeks ago.
Do you believe Jones-Grant suffers from dementia? Have your say below.
Michael Benjamin
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