Testimony Ends in Fraud Trial of Patricia Moore
Testimony ended Friday in the federal trial of former Compton Councilwoman Patricia Moore, who is accused of extorting more than $62,000 from two local businesses.
The case is expected to go to the jury Monday after prosecution and defense lawyers deliver their closing arguments.
The final witness Friday was former Assistant U.S. Atty. Steven G. Madison, who was called to rebut Moore’s claim that she was coerced into a plea agreement with the prosecution in 1994 in which she allegedly confessed to taking bribes and agreed to serve as an undercover operative in the FBI’s probe of official corruption in Compton.
Moore later pulled out of the deal and persuaded a judge to allow her to withdraw a guilty plea to one count of extortion and one count of tax evasion. She was subsequently indicted on 25 criminal counts.
In other action Friday, U.S. District Judge Consuelo B. Marshall denied defense motions to dismiss the case on the grounds of outrageous government misconduct and insufficient evidence.
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