Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

By Mike Stanton
Journal Staff Writer

PROVIDENCE -- A veteran producer and advertising executive offered his expert opinion regarding the value of former state Sen. John Celona's television show as the Roger Williams Medical Center corruption trial ended its second week today.

But it will be up to the judge to decide whether the jury gets to hear his testimony.

After this morning's witnesses concluded their testimony, Chief U.S. District Judge Mary M. Lisi sent them home early and listened to testimony from Robert LaChance, owner of R.J. LaChance and Tin Can Alley in Barrington, companies involved in advertising and television and radio production.

The defense, which argues that Celona provided honest value to Roger Williams by promoting its services on his cable-access television show, is seeking to qualify LaChance as an expert witness. But the prosecution objects. Lisi reserved judgment as court ended for the day.

Celona's cable-access television program often served as an infomercial for his paid consulting clients, including Roger Williams, CVS, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and New England Ambulance.

Under questioning from Michael Connolly, one of defendant Robert Urciuoli's lawyers, LaChance testified that he reviewed tapes of Celona's television show at the defense's request and said that he would have charged $10,000 to $15,000 to produce a typical program. He based that figure on a minimum of six people to man the cameras and handle other production aspects, plus a week of preparation to block out the script.

But Asst. U.S. Atty. Dulce Donovan challenged that, noting that Celona's show was produced at the studios of Cox Communications, which under federal broadcasting law provides community access programming free of charge. Lisi also honed in on that point, noting that studio time and personnel are provided for free.

LaChance agreed, but estimated that he would have still spent $6,000 to pay a production person for a 40-hour week to map out and script the show.

Lisi seemed surprised.

"How much is that per hour?'' she asked.

"Almost as much as a lawyer,'' quipped LaChance.

"The next question is, how does one get one of those jobs?'' asked Lisi.

"We're not hiring now, your honor.''

The defense is expected to conclude its case next Monday or Tuesday.

This morning's testimony: Defense tries to show Celona's work was legitimate

Special report: Continuing coverage of this and other corruption trials linked to Operation Dollar Bill in Rhode Island

 Tags  Celona

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