Former arts director P. David Romei's lawyer urged jurors during opening arguments in Romei's felony theft trial to focus on his contributions to the Brazos Valley, not the crimes for which he is accused.

"The evidence will show that Dr. Romei was all about work, integrity and accountability," said Romei's lawyer, Richard "Racehorse" Haynes. "He is the epitome of patriotism and he loves and lives by the word of God."

Romei is accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from the Arts Council of Brazos Valley during his time as executive director of the organization. Prosecutors said he used the Arts Council's credit card to pay for personal vacations and prescriptions. He also signed off on reimbursements to himself for work he did not complete, prosecutors said.

Haynes questioned three witnesses involved with the Arts Council -- including two current board members. The interactions became tense at times and the court took a break for lunch with District Judge Steve Smith agreeing with the prosecution's objection that Haynes was badgering a witness.

Haynes and current Arts Council president Becky Russell both raised their voices to near-shouting levels as Haynes asked about Romie's final days at the Arts Council. She told him that Romei told the board of directors that he left because he received a high-paying job at a Houston bank, but Haynes repeatedly interrupted her by saying that she should limit her answers to "yes or no."

Former Arts Council president Carol Wagner testified that she received in the mail from an anonymous source embarrassing pictures of current Arts Council director Padraic Fisher. She said she was upset by the pictures and took them to the College Station Police Department. She later gave copies of the pictures to the Brazos County District Attorney's Office and the Arts Council's lawyer.

Romei has since admitted that he sent the pictures. Romei's lawyers have argued in past legal filings that the prosecution of Romei is the result of retaliatory "witch hunt" to punish Romei for sending the pictures.

District Attorney Bill Turner called more than a dozen witnesses last week. He rested his case Monday morning without calling any additional witnesses. While presenting his case, Turner revealed documents that he said showed Romei obtained reimbursement for $1,510 in prescription drugs purchased with Arts Council credit cards, $7,400 for consulting work that he never performed. He also used Arts Council money to donate $1,750 to political campaigns.

In addition, Turner showed Arts Council credit card statements that said Romei used public money to pay for a vacation to Europe and trips to Alabama and Florida for family members' funerals. Turner said Romei never reimbursed the Arts Council for the money.

Haynes said in his opening statement that he will show jurors that the trips were business-related. He also suggested that he paid the Arts Council back for his personal purchases, but they did not appear on audits because "the Brazos Valley Arts Council had a unique system of accounting."

Haynes further stated that Romei's work was greatly appreciated by most people involved in the Arts Council and displayed a $900 crystal bowl that was presented to him from the board of directors as he left the organization.

When you compare the amount of work Romei has done for the community to his personal expenses, the personal expenses are "close to zero," Haynes said. "It is not a crime."

For more on the trial, read Tuesday's Eagle.

Comments

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9 comment(s) found!

Posted by: On: 11/19/2008

Comment Title: Many Accomplishments
Among his many accomplishments, College Station now boasts more phallic sculptures per capita than any city in the country. Well done P. David.

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Posted by: On: 11/17/2008

Comment Title:
Is Fisher going to testify? Why wasn't he a witness for the prosecution?

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Posted by: On: 11/17/2008

Comment Title:
Was he already convicted? I thought that was later this week...

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Posted by: On: 11/17/2008

Comment Title: So this
is what the big bucks lawyers get the money for... More misdirection. Of course we should forgive P. David for stealing and focus on the great things he did for the community. Other posters have pointed out very well how ridiculous this argument is quite well. What a fine example that would set for all of our agency leaders - do a good job for the community and steal all you want. Race on into the sunset Racehorse. In Brazos County when you do the crime, you do the time. That dog will not hunt despite your famous legal example stating that you do not own a dog.

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Posted by: Grump On: 11/17/2008

Comment Title: New excuse
"...a unique system of accounting." That's a good one.

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Posted by: On: 11/17/2008

Comment Title:
Romei also forgot what good he did for this program, the moment he took money or mishandle the money. There is no butts about it. He should be found guilty and should pay all the money he took, including his niece that took that trip with him. She knew what he was doing too.

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Posted by: Bethe Mounce On: 11/17/2008

Comment Title:
So Romei did "alot" for the arts in the Brazos Valley----bully for him. His greed got the better of him and no matter what his "good" deeds were, they certainly don't justify him stealing. He stole money because he could and the more he got away with the more he took. He is as slick as cow manure; hopefully the judge will throw the book at him.

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Posted by: PHARAOH On: 11/17/2008

Comment Title: LOOK AT THE GOOD SIDE
We have no problem with that. Look at the accomplishments; then send him to prison.

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Posted by: On: 11/17/2008

Comment Title: Malarky!
Just because Paul David Romei did good things for this community doesn't negate that he stole from it too! The man received more than adequate compensation for his efforts. That is like saying that a huge philanthropist is excused from serial killing just because he made so much possible in the community. What a crock.

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