Sen. leader De León to testify at Calderon corruption trial, aide says
State Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León will be a witness in the corruption trial of former Sen. Ronald Calderon, an aide said Friday.
Federal prosecutors have asked state Senate leader Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) to appear as a witness in the August corruption trial of former Democratic Sen. Ronald Calderon, his office confirmed late Friday.
The news came on the same day that an aide to Assemblyman Adam Gray (D-Merced) confirmed that Gray had been subpoenaed as a witness because he served as Calderon’s legislative director for 2008 to 2011, advising him on bills coming up for votes.
De León spokeswoman Claire Conlon did not respond to questions about whether the senate leader received a subpoena to testify in the August 11 trial, as have about 10 other state officials, or whether he has any information about wrongdoing by Calderon.
“Senator De León has been asked to assist the prosecution as a witness in the Calderon trial and, as has been the case from the very beginning of this process, he will readily and fully participate,” Conlon said in an emailed statement. “Since the Senator’s been cooperating in this matter for nearly two years, he expected to be called, and he’s prepared to serve as needed.”
De León testified as a witness before a federal grand jury, which indicted Calderon in February 2014 on 24 felony counts.
They include accepting $88,000 in bribes in exchange for official actions involving bills affecting the film industry and workers’ compensation benefits. Calderon and his brother, former Assemblyman Tom Calderon, who was charged with money laundering, have both pleaded not guilty.
Twitter: @McGreevy99
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