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Show DESERET NEWS, TUESDAY, MAY Planter from the Greenery 7 Custom-mack- 1 ( l s O' V-- fl Un Un X By Hal Spencer Deseret News staff writer wooden planttn 9.95 Plus, we'll turnish a 4-ii- potted plant (S2 ss B Prosecution, defense rest in bribe trial "Mom" Wall If 3, 1977 value) I RE. I ! Wall and 50 20.93 off The defense and proseention rested their eases today in the bribery trial of former Salt Lake County Planning and Zoning Chairman Frank Granato, 62 The trial began Monday, two years after Granato was indicted by a Salt Lake County grand jury on a charge of accepting more than $2,000 in bribes to influence a zoning decision allowing development of a mobile home park war 13th West and HWRI South. Granatos attorney, former Utah Atty. Gen Phil L. Hansen, attacked the credibility of two real estate develop ers who testified that more than $2,000 was "passed to Granato in 1973 on the promise that he would assure the desired zoning change. Under Hansen's questioning the two witnesses admitted they had received immunity from prosecution m exchange for their testimony. One of the witnesses said he wasn't sure the bribe money ac tually got to Granato. The trial reached a climax, however, when Albert Siciliano, 3979 Luetta Dr., told the court he was who passed the bribes from witness the George Jones to Granato. member of the Planning and Granato, a Zoning Board, sat calmly as Special Prosecutor Waller Ellett called the three prosecution witnesses Third District Judge Ernest Baldwin is presiding at the trial, expected to go to the jury later today. The first presecution witness, Thomas O. Har-ard, 8506 Mesa Dr., said that in early 1973 a business associate, George Jones. 7441 S. Redwood R(t , approached him about passing a sum of money through a third party for the purpose of gaining preferential zoning treatment from the County Planning Commission. Harward testified under direct examination that he made out two checks to Jones, one in May for $l,0u0 and another in August for $2,000. Jones in turn was to cash the checks and pass the money to Siciliano, who would give the money to a public official. Under cross examination from Hansen, Harward admitted that he had received grand jury immunity. Under further questioning, Harward admitted that he knew for sure only that Jones received the money. Harvard said he put forth the money in hopes of obtaining a zoning change from agricultural to residential designation in order the build the Spring Valley Mobile Home Park. He later won his request, first from the Planning Commission and then from the County Commission. Eliott's next witen testified that he too was granted grand jury immunity m exchange tor testimony as to bribery allegations against Granato. Jones said that early in 1973, Siciliano told torn that he knew somebody who could help me in the Harward zoning application. Mr. Siciliano said he could help me. He said it would take $1,000 up front and $1,000 to $2,000 after the zoning was changed, said Jones. Jones, who said he had befriended Siciliano as a customer at Sicilianos Playhouse Lounge, testified that Harward then wrote two checks, one in May and the other in August, both of which Jones cashed into $t00 bills and gave to Siciliano. It wasnt until after the first payment, said Jones, that he knew the money had gone to Granato. He testified that he had spoken with Granato by or someone who purported to be telephone, Granato. Added Jones, He (Granato) told me to do my homework and do it well, and told me the project had a good chance of passing. Jones testified that he later spoke in person with Granato at a Planning Commission meeting m the hallway before the meeting was scheduled to begin and got the impression I should wait until another meeting to make a presentation before the board. In cross examination, Hansen got Jones to admit that lie did not know for certain that Granato was the recipient of the bribe money. He answered yes whim Hansen asked, As far as you know, that could have on the phone with a rough been your edged voice, right? The trial, before a jury of six women and two men, w as expected to continue through Wednesday hut Hansen failed to call several defense witnesses he said he intended to call. They included tormer County Commissioner Ralph Y. McClure current Commissioners Pete Kutulas and William E. Dunn, and several planning commissioners. . six-ye- Corningvvare Sets from Housewares Cook 'n Bake Set, rug. 19.99 (8-pie- ce set) Kitchen Starter Set, reg. 29.93 . . (includes IC and 2 qt. covered covered skillet) saucepans and . 10-in- 12.99 ch The Most Sentimental Gift of All Fresh-cu- t Roses in our Greenery Fragrant roses in red, white or pink Large sie . Babv roses . . doz. doz. Personalized Gifts in our Ladies' Accessories notch, . $12 $9 . 39.88 ;Sew, ) Potted Posies from Produce 2.98 Chrysanthemums, 6" pot 1 .98 African Violets, 4" pot 2.98 French Garden plants, 6" pot (includes mums, geraniums, collius, begonias -5 of them at least 4 plants lowering!) - 1 Beautiful Jewelry Boses trom 6.50 to $15 mirror sets in leatherette cases trom $8 to $15 Tortoise-she- ...or ll comb & pick a scarl, a bag, or a prettv piece of jewelry. ,k. 4.50 . . 2.75 2.25 1.50 $2 rcg. 2.77 re. Must follow law on phone bids, commission told 2. "() The Salt Lake County Commission must follow its own purchasing ordinance and show sufficient reason why a proposed county phone system should not be bid, a Third District Court judge ruled Monday afternoon. nnn? 7FT urn m u,ii -- 7 cs., Wed,, Thurs., & Sat. CIS I 9-- 7; I V Sun. 12-- 5. Judge Stewart M. Hanson Jr. said that in order for the County Commission to base a decision not to let the phone system out to bid on its own discretion, commissioners must add the reasons and findings tiehmd that decision to their official minutes. Commissioner Pete Kutulas. who along with Commissioner William H. Dunn represented a majority of the commission and were the defendants m the hearing, said they will probably enter their findings and reason for making their decision m the minutes of a new County Commission meeting The commissioners based their defense on a county purchasing ordinance that says contracts for utility services such as telephones, do not have to be bid on and contracts can be awarded at the discretion of the commission. Commission Chairman Dunn said one oi the reasons behind their decision to not let the phone system out for bid was the difficulty of preparing specifications for it. He said a study by Mountain Beil shows a need for a new and improved phone system for county government, but he said time was also a factor in llieii uvci.siuli uut to bivi It would take six to eight munths for the specifications to be prepared," he said, and then it would be too late to get the county offices in the new phone bok." Don Sawaya, chief deputy of the county attorneys civil division, said Judge Hansons decision went along with what the County Attorneys Office was trying to achieve, and that was to make the County Commission billow its own purchasing ouimatice." s. |