Session: 123456789101112131415161718         Page 580581582583584585586587588589590591592593594595596597598599600601602603604605606607608609610611612613614615616617 of 617

to do it would be when he goes to the defense and puts in his case and his witnesses, then we come. But that could mean Monday or Tuesday of the following week, and I just didn't want to lose legislative time if I could help it. “Okay, Bert, I'll be there.”

I go to court -- it's the same court room. It's the same prosecutor. They call me. The defense counsel asks the same question: “What is his reputation?” “Excellent.” The prosecutor, a guy by the name of Shaw, a very nice guy (I know him; I knew him teen but very casually). He had not asked me a single question with Brasco, which is the sensible thing to do in a normal case. You don't try to cross-examine character witnesses. You can get very little information from them other than to reinforce a positive aspect for the defendant. You just get them off the stand very quickly. Not this time. This time Mr. Shaw says, “Congressman, meaning no disrespect, but weren't you a character witness in this very courtroom for Congressman Brasco?” “Objection!” says the defense counsel. I wait for the judge to rule. And the judge says, “Objection overruled.” My response: “Yes.” “And did you not say in response to a question concerning the reputation for truth and veracity of Congressman Brasco, that his reputation was excellent?” “Yes.” “No other questions.” (laughs) I felt like such a schmuck.