Defense attorneys lead the day with their opening statements. Leon Spies, Jane Barto’s attorney, told the jury “This case is about lies, deception and trickery.” He added, “Jane Barto engaged in no lies, no trickery, no manipulation…it was done by people at CIETC.”
Aaron Hamrock, Karen Tesdell’s attorney, said “Ramona Cunningham was the boss, she called the shots.” Paul Scott, Dan Albritton’s attorney, said “Dan met and developed a relationship with Ramona Cunningham.
It doesn’t prove anything. It’s not evidence of any conspiracy. It is manipulation and deceit. It’s a red herring. It’s a straw man. It has nothing to do with the government proving its case…Dan Albritton didn’t conspire with anyone to misapply federal funds or conceal.”
Carl Salmons, former CIETC attorney, testified that at some point, someone changed CIETC’s by-laws, which appeared to enhance the power of the Board Chairman, which at the time was then-Des Moines City Council member Archie Brooks.
Corrine Johnson, a senior state auditor, testified about salaries and bonuses paid to the three former top three CIETC executives, which state auditors felt were “unreasonable.”
Former CIETC Chief Operating Officer John Bargman is here at the courthouse with his attorney, preparing to testify. He struck a plea deal with prosecutors.
U.S. Department of Labor financial analyst Dennis Swafford testified that when his department reviewed CIETC records, he found that executive compensation “isn’t defendable.”
