The jury in James Botti’s federal corruption trial appeared to zero in on the approval of Botti’s 828 Bridgeport Ave. project during its deliberations Friday.
The jury requested to see transcripts of testimony from three planning and zoning commissioners regarding the week the project was approved.
Those commissioners — former chairman Allan Cribbins, Daniel Orazietti and Leon Sylvester — had each testified about the behind-the-scenes communications that took place between a June 13, 2006 meeting on the project and the June 20, 2006 vote.
Prosecutors claim Botti bribed Mayor Mark A. Lauretti during that week to help him secure votes for the project.
According to testimony, Lauretti asked Cribbins to “build consensus“ on the project by speaking to two members who were on the fence about approval.
And Botti asked Sylvester to convince Orazietti to go to the meeting and vote in favor of the project, when Orazietti had other plans scheduled for the night of the vote, Sylvester testified.
No written transcripts were ready Friday afternoon, but a court reporter read back about an hour of testimony from Cribbins.
Jurors were sent home just after 3:30 p.m., when a technical problem with the audio system at the court prevented other testimony from being played back.
Testimony from Orazietti and Sylvester was not heard before the jury left Friday.
The jury will continue deliberations Monday morning.
