The new attorney for embattled former state Sen. Thomas Bromwell calls his entrance a “new chapter” in the high-profile corruption case of the once-powerful politician.
“Whatever happened up until this point is over,” Washington-based attorney Barry Pollack said. “We?re going to review the record and evidence and represent them well and make sure they get a fair trial. This is a new chapter.”
Pollack will be paid $92 an hour by the government ? about one-fifth of his hourly rate ? to defend the Baltimore County Democrat, who is accused of accepting money for his political influence. The court will review Bromwell?s finances and those of his codefendant, his wife Mary Patricia, at the end of the trial to determine how much they will have to repay the government, Pollack said.
Last month, the federal judge presiding over the case ordered the Bromwells? former attorneys to step down, citing undisclosed conflicts of interest. The trial, originally scheduled to begin that day, was postponed until Sept. 25.
Those attorneys repeatedly complained of overzealous government seizures, stripping the Bromwells of all assets and forcing their attorneys to work for free. Bromwell is currently attempting to regain about $250,000 worth of property never alleged to be involved in any wrongdoing, but nonetheless seized by the government as “substitute” finances for suspect funds the government is unable to locate.
In a recently released letter, a judge expressed concern that media exposure ? including reports of secretly taped conversations in which Bromwell brags of his influence and discusses suspicious business deals ? could taint a jury pool.
Bromwell also described his activities as “hustling,” called himself a “rainmaker,” and made derogatory comments about women and minorities. Pollack called the case “obviously complicated.”
“I?m a lawyer,” he said. “I?m not a PR agent. My strategy will be to fight the case in the courtroom based on evidence and not in newspaper articles. I hope people recognize the difference between the two.”
