Manuel recording questioned -- Defense seeks information about informants

Manuel recording questioned -- Defense seeks information about informants

By RICHARD PRIOR
richard.prior@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 11/02/08


Two confidential informants allegedly recorded conversations in which suspended St. Johns County Commissioner Thomas Manuel accepted $60,000 in exchange for influencing public business, according to court documents.

The information was included in the prosecution's response last week to two of the defense's 17 motions that were filed on Oct. 24.

Defense attorneys William Sheppard and Gray Thomas demanded the name of the informant, who, they believe, "was an active participant in the crimes charged in the indictment against (Manuel) or the investigation thereof."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Hackenberry Savell said in her response that there were two informants, not one.

She said she would disclose their names to the defense, even though, "It is believed that defendant is aware of the identities of these individuals, as all of the audio/video recorded conversations have been provided to the defendant. ..."

Manuel, 63, was indicted Oct. 16 in U.S. District Court in Jacksonville on two counts of bribery.

The federal grand jury said Manuel "did knowingly and corruptly solicit, demand and agree to accept" approximately $10,000 on April 8 and approximately $50,000 on June 5.

Both transactions were in Jacksonville, the grand jury charged.

Manuel's intent was "to be influenced and rewarded in connection with any business, transaction, and series of transactions ...," the grand jury said.

The transactions were not specified.

Manuel turned himself in the same day and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was arraigned and then released on $50,000 bond.

Manuel, a retired businessman and banker, was elected to the St. Johns County Commission in 2006. He was the commission chairman when he was indicted.

Gov. Charlie Crist suspended him from office on Oct. 17.

Another defense motion filed Oct. 24 asked the prosecution to spell out which "business, transaction and series of transactions the (d)efendant is alleged to have intended to be influenced and rewarded in connection with. ..."

The prosecution also was asked to specify how Manuel "knowingly (and corruptly) engaged in the charged conduct."

The prosecutor said in her response on Wednesday that Manuel already knows the answers.

"The indictment ... is clear and informative," Savell wrote. "It specifies the dates, locations, and the criminal conduct by the defendant. ...

"The defendant has been provided extensive discovery, including audio and video recordings related to the conduct charged in the indictment. ..."

Finally, the U.S. Attorney's Office filed a notice Friday that some statements Manuel made to law enforcement officers after being read his Miranda rights could be the subject of a suppression hearing.

The notice did not specify what those statements were.

A pre-trial status conference has been scheduled for 3 p.m. on Nov. 17 in U.S. District Court in Jacksonville.

Manuel's jury trial is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 1.

(For a complete list of motions that have been filed in the case so far, go to staugustine.com.)

http://www.staugustine.com/promo/TomManuel-Motions.pdf


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