Lincoln Park Case Goes to Jurors

As reported by the Providence Journal: "Where's the beef?

"Daniel Bucci's lawyer asked that question yesterday in assailing the bribery-conspiracy case that prosecutors have presented against Lincoln Park's former general manager and his British boss, Nigel Potter.

"In a closing argument Wednesday, a federal prosecutor had said Lincoln Park stood to make millions from additional video slot machines if it paid $1 million to former House Speaker John B. Harwood's law firm.

"…In his closing argument yesterday, Bucci's lawyer, Anthony M. Traini, told jurors: 'The only connection to hamburgers in this case is the old Wendy's commercial: Where's the beef? There's nothing in this case. All there is is reasonable doubt.'

"The jury began deliberating yesterday afternoon after listening to closing arguments from Traini and a Lincoln Park lawyer. Jurors also heard the prosecution's rebuttal and received instructions from U.S. District Judge Mary M. Lisi. Deliberations are to resume at 9 this morning.

"Lincoln Park, Bucci and Potter are charged with conspiring to bribe Harwood with up to $4 million over five years to add more video slots and to block a Narragansett Indian casino. A jury deadlocked on most charges in a trial that concluded in February, and the retrial had been moved from Providence to Worcester because of publicity…"