San Diego
Nancy Hoover Hunter had “substantial” knowledge of the inner workings of the J. David investment house, according to testimony Thursday from an attorney who counseled the firm.
Carl N. Duncan, formerly employed by the Chicago law firm of Abramson & Fox, testified that he advised both J. David (Jerry) Dominelli and Hunter in the midst of inquiries being conducted by federal and state regulatory agencies.
“I found (her involvement) to be substantial,” Duncan said under questioning by Assistant U.S. Atty. Stephen Clark.
Federal prosecutors called Duncan to the witness stand as part of their case, which alleges Hunter played a key role in the Ponzi scheme operated out of J. David & Co. and controlled by Dominelli, currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.
According to the bankruptcy trustee of the J. David estate, about 1,200 investors lost as much as $90 million when the La Jolla brokerage firm collapsed in February, 1984.
Defense attorneys maintain that Hunter was in the dark about Dominelli’s activities because his colleagues lied to Hunter, and she was in love with Dominelli.
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