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PLATTSBURGH — State Sen. Betty Little has found herself in the middle of the criminal corruption trial of former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno.
Little (R-Queensbury) testified last week in the trial, which is now in its second week in Albany.
According to published reports, Little said that a $100,000 grant in 2006 for Local 773 of the Plumbers & Steamfitters union based in South Glens Falls, with her name and Bruno's name as the sponsors, had not originated with a request from her, as is the normal custom for grants in her district.
Nor did another grant for $150,000 in 2007 listing her name as the sponsor come from her office.
"I did not request this money," Little told Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth C. Coombe, according to an article in the Albany Times Union.
Little suggested it was odd that the first grant arose because the union had not asked her for the money and it was going to be spent training plumbers in her district.
She said she assumed the majority leader and the Senate Finance Committee had arranged the grants.
Little told the Press-Republican this week that she may be called back to testify later in the trial, which is expected to continue another week or two.
"I was called to testify last week about grants that were awarded in my Senate District for the plumbers and pipefitters union," Little said in a statement to the Press-Republican.
"The grants in 2006 and 2007 were for an apprenticeship training program. We have a training center in Plattsburgh, and there is one just outside the district in South Glens Falls.
"I answered every question that I was asked by both the prosecution and defense."
Little said she did not want to comment further because she may be called back to the stand.
E-mail Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com
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