Jury selection to start for 2 ex-CVS execs' corruption case
PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Jury selection was set to begin Monday in the trial of two former
John R. Kramer and Carlos Ortiz, both former vice presidents at the Woonsocket-based pharmacy company, have pleaded not guilty to fraud, bribery and conspiracy charges.
They're accused of paying former state Sen. John Celona $45,000 and other gifts to defeat bills the company opposed and take other action on the company's behalf.
CVS has since changed its name to CVS Caremark Corp. The company has not been charged.
Opening statements in the trial were scheduled for May 12. Both men have been free on bond.
Ortiz and Kramer were indicted in January 2007 as part of a federal investigation into Statehouse corruption and influence-peddling called "Operation Dollar Bill."
The FBI has been investigating whether several companies improperly had lawmakers on the payroll and directed them to push bills they liked, or kill bills they didn't.
Two lawmakers -- Celona and Former House Majority Leader Gerard Martineau -- pleaded guilty as part of the broader probe and are cooperating. Prosecutors have said Martineau has agreed to testify at Ortiz and Kramer's trial.
Two former executives at Roger Williams Medical Center were convicted in 2006 of illicitly hiring Celona to promote the hospital's agenda at the Statehouse. Those convictions were overturned this year, and prosecutors are seeking a retrial.
Blue Cross in December agreed to pay $20 million to avoid criminal charges for its dealings with Martineau and other former legislators.
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