ALBANY — The federal judge presiding over former Senate boss Joseph Bruno’s political-corruption trial yesterday scolded prosecutors for overreaching and called for a course correction.
“This trial has lost its way for a long time,” District Court Judge Gary Sharpe told lawyers after excusing the jury from the courtroom. “I think it’s time that we begin to focus.”
Sharpe slammed prosecutors for repeatedly presenting evidence to suggest Bruno traded specific grants or favors to unions and individuals doing business with firms tied to the former Senate majority leader.
The judge reminded prosecutors that neither their opening statement nor their eight-count indictment alleged any quid pro quo by Bruno.
“We’ve had 34 witnesses drive 67,000 cows through that barn door,” the judge said. “It’s time to cut it off.”