WASHINGTON (October 9) -- Lawyers in the corruption trial of former Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy have spent much of Friday debating the role of a longtime friend of Espy's in alleged illegal gift-giving.

Prosecutors called Lawrence Busboon, ex-president of Sun Diamond Growers in California, to testimony about the activities of lobbyist Richard Douglas, a longtime friend of Espy. Prosecutors focused on expense reports from Douglas that suggested gifts to Espy included a $2,500 set of luggage and a $500 limo ride around New York City.

Busboon, Douglas' former boss, testified under cross examination that he typically took the word of Douglas when it came to expense reports, the nature of claimed relations with government officials, and whether claimed gifts qualified as legitimate business expense.

Douglas has been key to the prosecution's case that Espy illegally accepted gifts. Legal sources close to Espy's defense team told CNN that prosecutors have laid "not a finger on him," as the seventh day of the trial continues.

"These prosecutors are calling a hundred witnesses from all agencies, and they're being dragged here to say nothing," the source said.

Sun Diamond is made up of companies that include Diamond-Walnut, which recently was the focus of a campaign finance hearing on Capitol Hill. Republican lawmakers questioned whether there had been any quid pro quo for Teamsters campaign donations and government help mediating a labor dispute.

Busboon testified that Douglas claimed close ties with former U.S. Trade Representative Mickey Kantor while lobbying on behalf of Sun Diamond's interests regarding exports and broader trade policy.

Kantor has denied knowing about any pressure to link Diamond-Walnut's prospects overseas to its efforts to end a Teamsters strike.

U.S. District Court Judge Ricardo Urbina Friday said the trial is expected to last about eight weeks.

Friday, October 9, 1998

• Battle lines drawn in budget showdown
• Next step: laying the groundwork for impeachment hearings
• Prosecutors and defense spar over Espy's gift-giving friend
• House Ethics Committee releases report on Rep. Kim
• Senate Democrats try to revive health-care debate
• Hyde: GOP won't object to inquiry calling Starr
• California base closing hits 1,600 jobs
• Paralyzed California candidate has own agenda
• House passes bankruptcy bill
• Roll call: House bankruptcy bill
• Supreme Court to expand study of census
• Nutrition bill passes House
• Senate approves religious freedom bill
• Tipper Gore injures leg jogging
• Designs finalized for new quarters
• New York parole board member indicted over Pataki fund-raising
• House readies $9B tax package

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