“Dirtiest Hands of All”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan N. Francis dismantled that defense, calling Diamantis’ testimony “an outright confession.”
“A referral fee on a school construction project amounts to an admission,” Francis told jurors, labeling Diamantis’ hands as “the dirtiest of all.”
His colleague, Assistant U.S. Attorney David E. Novick, branded Diamantis a “corrupt public official” who traded his office for cash and favors.
Three cooperating witnesses — John Duffy, Sal Monarca, and Antonietta Roy — testified that Diamantis used fear and influence to extract payments and favors. Duffy, Acranom’s vice president and Diamantis’ former brother-in-law, described threats to block his firm from future state projects.
Monarca recounted handing Diamantis cash at bars, bathrooms, and even Dunkin’ Donuts, while Roy testified she was pressured to hire Diamantis’ daughter for $45 per hour “to keep her contracts safe.”
Defense Fires Back
Defense attorney Norm Pattis of Pattis & Paz LLC attacked the witnesses as “self-professed liars” desperate to reduce their own sentences. He argued that Diamantis’ daughter was hired on merit and that Duffy acted as a “double agent” seeking kickbacks for himself.
Pattis also challenged the government’s use of the Hobbs Act, saying prosecutors failed to prove that the alleged bribes impacted interstate commerce — a key element for federal extortion charges.
Still, jurors sided with prosecutors on every major point.
