Published October 22, 2010
The federal corruption trial of Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner is getting more and more colorful. You have to read this.
The FBI’s star witness, Ron Wilburn — who already testified that he gave Turner a $1,000 bribe — now says he also paid a Boston police officer $10,000.
On the witness stand Friday morning, Wilburn said that payment was not made under the direction of the FBI, but he did not elaborate further.
Meanwhile, the Globe reports:
A federal prosecutor and the star witness in the Chuck Turner corruption case engaged in a dramatic shouting match during Turner’s trial this morning, with the witness, Ronald Wilburn, accusing the government of harming him by revealing his identity.
“You gave me up. Hell, you cut off my income. I did it all for you and you gave me up!” yelled Wilburn, who had worked as an undercover informant for the FBI in the case.
WBUR’s David Boeri, who is covering this trial from Boston federal court, tells me he saw something today he has never seen before: A juror stood up during Wilburn’s testimony, pointed at the witness, and said, “Your honor, there’s somebody coaching the witness.” The judge asked for the coach to reveal himself; Wilburn’s attorney, seated in the back, stood up.
Stay tuned.