It
doesn't look like much from the street, but hidden inside Ferguson Enterprises
is an office fit for a king.
Prosecutor
Mark Chutkow made it clear Monday that the feds believe his majesty is better
known as Bobby Ferguson.
They
say he took $70,000 of taxpayer money that was supposed to be used to help
train workers or shelter the disadvantaged and splurged on a plush office
complete with marble flooring, a loft, and even a spiral staircase.
Chutkow
asked one supplier, "Did you ever provide any materials for a training center
or temporary shelter?" The
witness answered, "No."
Defense
attorney Susan Van Dusen countered that the suppliers who testified Monday did
not see all of Ferguson's
office space. They
conceded that it is possible he created a training center after they finished
renovating his offices.
But
Van Dusen didn't address the prosecution's contention that his non-profit
doctored documents in a bid to convince state officials they were using the
money properly.
The
feds showed jurors two versions of one invoice. The version Ferguson
sent to the state lists Detroit
3D, his nonprofit, as the customer.
But
the original invoice for the work lists "Bobby" as the customer and the purpose
as "new office."
Friday, May 24 2013 8:46 AM EDT2013-05-24 12:46:52 GMT
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not so perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this weekend following the destruction and rebuilding due to superstorm Sandy.
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not so perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this weekend following the destruction and rebuilding due to superstorm Sandy.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:29 AM EDT2013-05-24 10:29:05 GMT
AP photo
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building and throwing a marijuana bong out of a window, said police.
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building and throwing a marijuana bong out of a window, said police.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:17 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:17:32 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:11 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:11:26 GMT
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:04:45 GMT
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:49:53 GMT
AP photo
President Barack Obama plans to give the Jersey Shore a boost with a post-Memorial Day visit to showcase recovery efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
President Barack Obama plans to give the Jersey Shore a boost with a post-Memorial Day visit to showcase recovery efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
