Lawyer who leaked FBI tape admits he committed perjury
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- The lawyer who gave television reporter Jim Taricani a secret FBI videotape admitted in federal court today to committing perjury.
Joseph Bevilacqua Junior acknowledged lying to special prosecutor Marc DeSisto in February 2002 when DeSisto asked him whether he gave Taricani the tape.
The tape shows a city official taking a cash bribe.
Attorneys, investigators and defendants had been barred by court order from disseminating materials connected to the probe.
Bevilacqua said today that it was (quote) �poor judgment� and he panicked.
Both Bevilacqua and Taricani testified today before US District Judge Ernest Torres.
Taricani is to be sentenced later this afternoon for refusing to reveal his source. Bevilacqua came forward less than a week after Taricani was convicted of criminal contempt.
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