The start date for Shelton developer James Botti’s federal trial has been pushed back two weeks.
Instead of starting on Oct. 19, as originally planned, the first of two trials on corruption and money structuring charges will begin on Nov. 2.
The new schedule (see below) says the court reviewed “letters from counsel” requesting changes, but does not indicate which attorney requested the change.
BOTTI James CSH scheduling order 100209 –
Thomas Carson, a spokesan for the U.S. Department of Justice, said he couldn’t elaborate on the new schedule. A message was left with Botti’s attorney, William F. Dow III, at 12:30 p.m.
Botti was charged in November 2008 with conspiracy to defraud the citizens of Shelton, bribery of a public official, mail fraud, conspiracy to structure cash deposits, structuring and two counts of making false statements to the Internal Revenue Service.
The charges stem from three retail projects Botti developed on Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton between 2002 and 2006. Read the indictment here.
Botti will face two separate trials after U.S. Senior District Judge Charles Haight agreed last month to split up the money structuring charges and the conspiracy charges.
There has not been official word that the money structuring trial will commence first, Carson said.
But jury selection documents filed with the court also indicate the government is preparing to try that case first.
According to the new schedule, jury selection will still take place at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 15.
Then any pre-trial motions are due before Oct. 16, and any responses must be filed with the court before Oct. 22. A hearing on the motions will be held Oct. 27, and then the first trial will begin at 10 a.m. Nov. 2.
Dow has said in court hearings that the government’s target in the investigation was Shelton Mayor Mark A. Lauretti.
Lauretti has not been charged with any crime, and has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. He has not been publicly identified by the government prosecutors.
