JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Closing arguments will begin on Wednesday morning within the case in opposition to former JEA executives Aaron Zahn and Ryan Wannemacher.
The males are charged with conspiracy and wire fraud in reference to a proposed bonus plan that prosecutors mentioned may have paid out a whole bunch of tens of millions of {dollars} had the utility been offered.
RELATED: Federal prosecutors relaxation case in opposition to former JEA executives accused in fraud scheme
Attorneys will current their last arguments earlier than jury deliberations begin.
Testimony ended on Tuesday, however not earlier than an sudden transfer by the court docket when the general public, media and prosecutors had been ordered to go away the court docket room.
The jury contemplating the case in opposition to Zahn was additionally faraway from the courtroom.
Wannemacher’s jury stayed within the room and heard testimony introduced by the previous CFO’s attorneys.
It’s not clear what was mentioned throughout that point, however attorneys implied {that a} clip of a press release that Zahn gave to metropolis attorneys in January 2020 could be introduced.
MORE: Former JEA board member declines to reply greater than two dozen questions associated to trial of former JEA executives | Attorney testifies former JEA CEO mentioned he would make $40 million if JEA was offered, and had backing of Mayor Curry | City lawyer testifies she noticed points with controversial bonus plan for JEA execs, despite the fact that she was set to learn | JEA pushed for accelerated plan to promote utility to change the narrative after public backlash, funding banker says | Former JEA exec testifies she didn’t converse up about controversial bonus plan as a result of she thought board members knew | Ex-JEA board chair had no thought plan she voted for may internet $345M in bonus payouts if utility was offered: testimony | As metropolis council auditors pushed for solutions on controversial bonus plan, they are saying they received no response from JEA execs
News4JAX spoke with Ed Birk, an lawyer who represents News4JAX and isn’t affiliated with the case, concerning the choose’s resolution.
“It’s very unusual to close a proceeding and exclude the public, exclude the press, but also exclude the prosecution while the jury is hearing evidence. It’s an unusual situation because we had this administrative investigation called a Garrity Hearing. Garrity is a case name in federal courts,” he mentioned.
Once the protection rested, the prosecution had one rebuttal witness, a metropolis auditor credited with bringing consideration to the large payout that might have occurred if JEA had been offered.
Closing arguments are set to begin at 9 am.
Zahn and Wannemacher may rise up to 25 years in jail if convicted.
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