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Buckingham may testify at his trial
Former attorney general Edward T. Buckingham is expected to testify today, Tuesday, in his ongoing bench trial in Superior Court.
A source disclosed that attorney Richard Pierce, counsel for Buckingham, will call the former AG to the witness stand when trial resumes today at 9am.
Buckingham refused to comment when asked about this.
If Buckingham will indeed testify, Office of the Public Auditor legal counsel George Hasselback is expected to grill him extensively on cross-examination.
If Buckingham completes his testimony today, closing arguments may follow.
OPA rested its case last Thursday. Pierce then called some witnesses, including former Commonwealth Ports Authority police chief Jordan Kosam.
The trial began last week.
On Thursday, Associate Judge Kenneth Govendo, who presided over the bench trial, denied Buckingham’s motion for a judgment of acquittal as to five charges—use of public supplies, time and personnel for campaign activities; use of the name of a government department or agency to campaign and/or express support for a candidate running for public office; misconduct in public office (related to campaign matter); conspiracy to commit theft of services (related to escort issue); and misconduct in public office (pertaining to escort issue).
Govendo placed under advisement one count of failure to produce documents or information (pertaining to OPA’s request). The judge said he needs to review the documents or evidence in this matter.
