The first person to call retired state senator Joe Bruno and congratulate him on finally beating bogus corruption charges was former judge Andrew P. Napolitano, who has written articles defending Bruno.
Napolitano, a Constitutional scholar and Fox News analyst, said the federal government had violated the prohibition on double jeopardy by trying Bruno, 85, a second time.
Bruno — a former soldier and boxer who still does 100 push-ups and 100 sit-ups a day — was investigated for three years before he was first indicted in 2009.
“The feds offered Joe Bruno no jail time if he would plead guilty to one count. He refused because he insisted he had done nothing wrong,” said one supporter.
“Bruno has lost his home, and his horses, and all his assets, as the feds sought to break him financially to force him into a plea deal. He could have died in prison. He rolled the dice — and won.”