Chuck Turner witness considers pleading Fifth

Chuck Turner witness considers pleading Fifth

By Laurel Sweet | Wednesday, October 13, 2010 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Local Coverage

Photo by Matt Stone

The federal government’s star witness in its public corruption case against City Councilor Charles “Chuck” Turner indicated yesterday he may invoke his Fifth Amendment right to refuse to testify when the trial opens later this week — even when threatened with contempt of court by U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock.

Businessman Ron Wilburn is the once-secret FBI informant from whom Turner allegedly took a $1,000 bribe in exchange for his support for a new nightclub.

Yesterday, in a surprise appearance at what was supposed to be just another pretrial housecleaning hearing, Wilburn attorney Robert Sinsheimer told Woodlock his client was considering pleading the Fifth. Woodlock ordered dozens of Turner’s supporters out of his courtroom in order to meet with Wilburn, 71, Sinsheimer, prosecutors and Turner.

Later, both Sinsheimer and Wilburn said Woodlock had tied their tongues with a gag order.

“Everyone will know on Friday,” Wilburn said of his intentions.

Turner referred questions to his lawyer, Barry Wilson. Wilson would not weigh in on the Fifth Amendment issue, but said, “It’s fair to say the government’s case is based on garbage.”

Wilburn infamously recorded Turner, 70, and former state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson taking what prosecutors characterized as thousands in cash bribes.

Wilkerson, 55, pleaded guilty in June to attempted extortion.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. McNeil, meanwhile, urged Woodlock to tread lightly when questioning prospective jurors about their racial biases, as Turner, who is black, is insisting.

“We were investigating corruption, not African-American corruption,” McNeil told Woodlock.

Wilson called racism “the elephant in the room.”

“If there’s a rat in the tunnel, I’d rather have a flashlight to see it,” he said outside the courthouse. “All we’re asking for is a fair, impartial jury.”

Jury selection is slated to start today.

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