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Prosecutors Contend That Video Shows Hornsby Taking Kickback
It is interesting to follow Hornsby's career. Put his name in a search on this site and you'll find plenty. Remember: Hornsby began his career in the Houston system, serving under former Secretary of Education Rod Paige—and the Houston system became famous in the past few years for its endless "ethical improprieties" with respect to its fake testing programs! Meanwhile, after Hornsby left the Yonkers system, the local school union head told the local paper that Hornbsy had been gaming the test program there too. And more.
Take a look at a related story showing broader implications.
By Ruben Castaneda
Jurors in the federal corruption trial of Andre J. Hornsby watched a video yesterday of the former Prince George's County schools chief seeming alternately relaxed and wary as he accepted a cash payment -- a kickback, prosecutors allege -- from an associate in a Bowie hotel room in the final days of 2004.
The video of an encounter in room 222 at a Comfort Inn shows Cynthia Joffrion placing bills on a table in front of Hornsby on Dec. 20, 2004. "Okay," she said, "if I give you 1,000 now that means I only owe you 144,000?"
"Whatever," Hornsby replied, picking up the cash and stuffing it in his shirt pocket.
The video, described previously in prosecution court filings but played publicly in the Greenbelt courtroom for the first time yesterday, is a centerpiece of the prosecution's case. Jurors also heard audio recordings of several telephone conversations between Hornsby and Joffrion, a longtime associate who was secretly cooperating with the FBI.
Hornsby, 54, is accused of steering to Joffrion a consulting contract to help the school system secure funds under a federal program known as E-Rate. Prosecutors allege that the agreement was to net Hornsby $145,000 in kickbacks.
During a conversation on June 2, 2005, several days after he resigned, Hornsby used coarse language as he appeared to reassure Joffrion that the two were not in legal jeopardy. "Where's the big check I wrote you, and the big check you wrote me," he said, according to a transcript. "It doesn't [bleeping] exist. We've never had that."
"Well, I've given you mon-"
"There's no check," Hornsby is quoted as saying.
Later, Joffrion suggested that, even under a polygraph, she could say she had never taken cash from Hornsby.
"I would never take a polygraph," the former schools chief replied, according to the transcript. "[Bleep] that."
Hornsby is also accused of arranging for the school system to purchase nearly $1 million in educational technology from a company where his then-girlfriend, Sienna Owens, worked as a sales representative. Prosecutors allege that Hornsby and Owens split a $20,000 commission she received because of the sale.
Owens pleaded guilty in November to a felony tax violation. She has been cooperating with prosecutors and is expected to receive a sentence of six months or less.
Yesterday, jurors were provided with headsets to improve the quality of the audio portion of the recordings. Small video screens, with closed captioning, were provided for each juror, attorneys on both sides and U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte.
At the meeting in Bowie, Hornsby was wearing dress slacks, a long-sleeve dress shirt and a tie. He at times reclined in his chair, as if relaxed. At other times, he appeared to lean toward Joffrion and lower his voice to a whisper. Spectators strained to follow the audio, which was often clouded by static and faded in and out. At the request of The Post, prosecutors provided transcripts at the end of the day.
Joffrion has known Hornsby for years and worked with him when he was a superintendent in Yonkers, N.Y. In one telephone conversation, the two discussed ways in which Joffrion might disguise payments to Hornsby, according to a transcript that memorialized the exchange this way:
"Let's buy a piece of antiques or some [bleep] like that," Joffrion said.
"That's the best way," Hornsby replied.
"Um. Where do you buy your antiques from?" Joffrion asked.
"You buy 'em [bleeping] anywhere," Hornsby replied.
Joffrion asked: "Why are you whispering? You're making me paranoid."
"Cindy," Hornsby responded, "these mother [bleepers] were following me tonight."
The recordings were entered into evidence during the testimony of FBI Special Agent John Sheridan. Defense attorney Robert C. Bonsib is expected to cross-examine Sheridan today.
— Ruben Castaneda
Washington Post
2007-10-24
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