A prosecutor says evidence against state Sen. Jane Orie shows a pattern of criminal activity that proves she illegally used her taxpayer-funded staff to do campaign work that benefited her and sister Joan Orie Melvin, a state Supreme Court Justice.
Deputy District Attorney Lawrence Claus said in closing arguments Thursday that Orie's behavior was “public corruption at its worst” and urged the jury to convict her on all charges.
Joan Orie Melvin has not been charged.
In his closing arguments, defense attorney William Costopoulos blamed a lack of oversight by Orie's chief of staff and irresponsible staff behavior for any illegal campaign work that may have happened in her state-funded office.
Costopoulos also reiterated his contention Orie wouldn't have clumsily forged documents to cover up such illegal work because of her background as a prosecutor.
Orie is also charged with lying under oath and falsifying defense documents that prompted a mistrial last March.
The jury began deliberations Thursday afternoon.
