Systemax bribery trial moved from LI to Florida
The bribery trial of former Systemax executive Carl Fiorentino is being moved from Long Island federal court to a federal court near his home in Florida. Fiorentino came to Central Islip this past July for arraignment Credit: James Carbone, 2013
A federal judge has granted a request from a former Systemax Inc. executive to move his bribery trial from Long Island to Florida.
Carl Fiorentino, ex-president of the Port-Washington-based electronics retailer's Miami division, was charged in Central Islip with taking $7 million in kickbacks in exchange for doling out contracts to vendors. But a judge issued an opinion last week saying the case should be tried where the alleged crimes were committed.
Only 25¢ for 5 months
A federal judge has granted a request from a former Systemax Inc. executive to move his bribery trial from Long Island to Florida.
Carl Fiorentino, ex-president of the Port-Washington-based electronics retailer's Miami division, was charged in Central Islip with taking $7 million in kickbacks in exchange for doling out contracts to vendors. But a judge issued an opinion last week saying the case should be tried where the alleged crimes were committed.
"New York is only involved by virtue of Systemax's choice to locate its office in that state," District Court Judge Sandra J. Feuerstein wrote.
Fiorentino worked for Systemax's computer retail subsidiary, TigerDirect, and is free on bail after being arrested this past June. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy.
A spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in Brooklyn declined to comment. Fiorentino's lawyer, Silvia B. Piñera-Vazquez, said she was pleased that the case is being moved.
"Mr. Fiorentino will now have an opportunity to challenge the charges in his hometown, where all the alleged events took place," she said.
'I'm going to try to avoid it' A trip to the emergency room in a Long Island hospital now averages nearly 4 hours, data shows. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.