Lawyers Defending Former Glock General Counsel Question Company's Involvement in His Prosecution
Jury selection began yesterday in the Georgia trial of a former general counsel and CEO in the U.S. headquarters of Glock Inc. He is facing theft and racketeering charges after police said he stole millions of dollars and a custom pistol from the renowned Austria-based firearms manufacturer.
Paul Jannuzzo, 55, a former New Jersey prosecutor, is accused of working with another in-house Glock attorney, former company vice president Peter Manown, to skim millions by fabricating loan documents and stealing corporate funds, according to the Associated Press and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The prosecution made its opening statements in the case today, the Atlanta Journal-Consitution reported in a later story.
Manown, who pleaded guilty in 2008 to three counts of theft after confessing his role in the alleged scheme is expected to be the star witness against Jannuzzo in the Cobb County case.
Jannuzzo has pleaded not guilty. His lawyer didn’t return the newspaper’s calls Friday.
Glock has its U.S. headquarters in Smyrna, Ga., near Atlanta, and the defense argued in a filing last week that Glock has been overly involved in what should be a government prosecution of the case. Although the FBI often handles such cases, the defense pointed out, Glock opted to seek the help of the Smyrna police department, with which the company has a friendly relationship.
“The prosecutor in this case has abdicated its responsibility and outsourced its responsibilities to an international corporation,” the filing contends. “From the outset, the prosecution has acted as though it represents Glock.”
Additional Associated Press and Atlanta Journal-Constitution articles provide further details.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Ex-Prosecutor Accused in Alleged RICO Scheme to Bilk Corporate Client of $3M”
ABAJournal.com: “RICO Case Against Ex-Prosecutor Criminalizes $3M Glock Legal Fee Dispute, His Side Says”
Updated at 5:18 p.m. to note that opening statements began today.
