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am I going to say? No? I don't know whether he's stolen any of this stuff or taken money. Again, it's not the substance of the case that's involved. His reputation is good in the circles that he moves in.

Well, I say, “Okay, Bert.” But I say, “Bert, I don't think you should call me because ...” It's in the same courthouse here in New York County, and again he asked for the same people and a couple of others to come to testify. I said to him, “I believe, Bert, that if I testify for you, they'll ask me did I not testify for Frank Brasco, who's been, as you know, convicted. That can't help you.” “Oh, they can't ask you that question.” I said, “I think they can. Ask your lawyer whether or not, in view of what I just raised with you, whether you wouldn't be better off not having me come down there. But if you ultimately decide you want me to come, I will come.” And he said, “We will suit your convenience.” And I said, “It would be helpful to me to have it on a Friday, so I don't have to come up specially and lose any time from legislative work.” “Of course,” he said.

Well, he calls me back maybe a day or two later, and he says, “I spoke to my lawyer. My lawyer said absolutely they can't ask you that question and we want you to come and we can put you on this Friday. The prosecution is in its case now, but we'll get them to agree to call you out of turn so that you can come in now instead of waiting.” The normal way