Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo corruption trial: Jury will begin deliberating tomorrow

Bencivengo faces five charges, including extortion, attempted extortion, money laundering and two counts of violating the federal Travel Act.

HAMILTON — The jury in the federal corruption trial of Mayor John Bencivengo will begin deliberating tomorrow morning after hearing closing arguments from attorneys on both sides today.

The jury decided to go home and return tomorrow morning after hearing approximately six hours of closing arguments today, the fourth day of the trial.

Bencivengo faces five charges, including extortion, attempted extortion, money laundering and two counts of violating the federal Travel Act, which penalizes the use of interstate travel to commit crimes.

Assistant U.S Attorneys Dustin Chao and Harvey Bartle argued in their closing statements this morning that Bencivengo accepted the bribes in return for promises to influence members of the Hamilton school board to retain a contract with health insurance broker Marliese Ljuba.

Ljuba testified last week that she was afraid the board would put her contract out to bid, putting her $1 million commission in danger. Bencivengo allegedly took $12,400 from Ljuba in three payments between May and July 2011.

In his closing argument this afternoon, Bencivengo’s attorney Jerome Ballarotto said the mayor did not have any authority over the school board and therefore could have no official influence over the decisions the board members made.

Ballarotto also said that Bencivengo and Ljuba were good friends and that the money she gave him was merely a loan between friends.

Complete coverage of the Bencivengo corruption case:

• Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo corruption trial: Prosecutor alleges 'government by bribe'

• Recordings that surfaced in Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo's corruption trial show mayor in financial straits

• Amick: 'Shocking' revelations of Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo trial show need for reform

• Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo trial: witness describes mayor's reaction when confronted about allegations

• Hamilton school board business administrator is placed on administrative leave

• Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo trial: Witness said she revealed FBI investigation to town, school officials

• Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo trial: key witness says she bribed mayor to keep her job, gain political influence

• Sentencing for former Hamilton director involved in mayor corruption case is postponed until December

• Editorial: Hamilton school board should dig deeper on contracts after bribery admission

• Former Hamilton official pleads guilty to money laundering in Mayor John Bencivengo extortion case

• Senator wants state constitution changed so indicted office-holders are suspended

• Hamilton school officials photographed with cooperating witness in Mayor John Bencivengo corruption case

• Hamilton school district fined $25,000 for contract with firm implicated in Bencivengo extortion case

• Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo pleads not guilty to extortion, money laundering charges

• Editorial: Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo must heed calls to resign over corruption indictment

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