michael budd

MICHAEL BUDD
Trial testimony
The following exchange took place Tuesday between Steven M. Dettelbach, an assistant U.S. attorney, and Michael Budd during the former Mahoning County deputy sheriff's inmate-abuse trial:
SD: Sir, you took an oath to testify truthfully here today, isn't that correct?
MB: Yes, sir.
SD: On numerous occasions in the past, however, you have been dishonest. Isn't that a fact?
MB: No, that's not a fact, sir.
SD: Sir, didn't you admit in your interview for your background check when you came on to the Mahoning County Sheriff's Department that you took up to $1,000 in merchandise --
MARTIN YAVORCIK: Objection, Your Honor.
JUDGE: Overruled.
SD: -- that you took over $1,000 in merchandise from your workplace?
MB: No, sir, I never made any such admission.
SD: Didn't you admit in your interview for your background check when you came on to the Mahoning County Sheriff'sDepartment that you stole something from a person who was drunk?
MB: No, sir, I never made any such admission.
SD: Didn't you also admit you accepted stolen merchandise for personal gain?
MB: No, sir, I never made any such admission.
SD: And that you took money or property from a friend?
MB: No, sir, I never made any such admission.
SD: Sir, you testified here that you were part of this task force. Is that correct?
MB: Yes, sir.
SD: And there are FBI agents who were working with you, is that correct?
MB: Yes, sir.
SD: Sir, isn't it true that there was an occasion where you attempted to -- you did something dishonest there, also?
MB: No, sir. I couldn't even think of what you're talking about.
SD: Sir, your testimony here is you don't even know what I'm talking about?
MB: Yes, that's correct.
SD: Haven't you been asked this question before?
MB: Yes, and I didn't know what you were taking about then either.
SD: Sir, isn't it a fact that what you did was you were told you weren't allowed to see secret Grand Jury material, and you said to the FBI agent, "Why don't you just leave it on your desk tonight and don't pay any attention, and I'll just look at it anyway?"
MB: I don't have keys to the FBI office, nor could I access an FBI agent's desk. That's ludicrous.
SD: That's why you asked him to leave it out, isn't it?
MB: No.
SD: Sir, you were working on a task force and shared space, isn't that right?
MB: No, sir.