New Cassel corruption trial continues

The key witness in a New Cassel corruption case will say whatever prosecutors tell him and none of his upcoming testimony should be trusted, a lawyer for one of the defendants told jurors yesterday.

In his opening statement in Nassau Criminal Court, Frederick Brewington, the attorney for defendant Neville Mullings, called prosecution witness Ranjan Batheja a thief, liar and cheater.

"He has, under threats of intimidation, agreed to say whatever the prosecution wants to save his own hide."

Mullings, 70, of Westbury, is North Hempstead's former Community Development Agency director. Along with former Nassau County legislators Patrick Williams, 63, of Uniondale, and Roger Corbin, 65, of Westbury and the town's former building and planning commissioner, David Wasserman, 53, of Roslyn Heights, he is on trial on charges of fraud, official misconduct and taking the proceeds of a public project.

The four were indicted in July 2010 after a three-year investigation by District Attorney Kathleen Rice.

In her opening statements Wednesday, Nassau Assistant District Attorney Teresa Corrigan alleged that the quartet steered development work as part of the $80-million New Cassel revitalization project to a developer in exchange for $400,000 in bribes.

Corrigan accused the men of providing insider information to certain developers, including Batheja. Batheja was arrested on bribery charges in February 2010 in connection with the case and has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.

Thursday, Joel Weiss, Wasserman's attorney, said the district attorney's office will use "contorted paperwork gymnastics" to paint a picture of wrongdoing. "It's going to be diversionary," Weiss said. "It's going to be utterly illogical."

Wasserman is not accused of taking money. He is accused of taking part in bid-rigging and other actions to maintain his power structure at the CDA, where he also served as chairman.

Brewington said a 2002 visioning process about needs in New Cassel revealed what residents, policy makers and community leaders wanted for the underserved hamlet. Those included a bank, grocery store and mixed-use developments -- which were part of Batheja's bid years later to take over three parcels.

It was no secret to anyone, he said.