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Trial of former state legislator Peter Beck begins

Howard Wilkinson
/
WVXU

In opening statements at former state legislator Peter Beck's criminal trial Monday prosecutors said he lied to investors in a technology company to bilk them out of millions of dollars.

But the defense says Beck is taking the blame for the misdeeds of others.

Beck faces more than 60 felony counts of fraud, theft, and money laundering for an alleged scheme involved the now-defunct Christopher Technologies or C-Tech.

The former CEO of C-Tech, John Fussner, has taken a plea deal and will testify against Beck.

The former Mason politician's trial began Monday in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court.

Beck's lawyer, Ralph Kohnen told Judge John West his client is being set up to take the fall for Fussner and others.

"We think that after you do hear the evidence," said Kohnen, "one word is going to come to mind above all else and that word is 'scapegoat.'"

But prosecutor Daniel Kasaris says Beck was intimately involved in deceiving investors.

"It's about the defendant, your honor, lying. Telling lies after lies to investors. It's about the defendant omitting material information from investors. It's about the defendant, your honor, lying to the Ohio Division of Securities."

Beck waived his right to a jury trial. Judge West will decide the case. The trial is expected to last four to six weeks.
 

Howard Wilkinson is in his 50th year of covering politics on the local, state and national levels.