Expert: Bribe defendant's intelligence lacking
By LYNDA COHEN Staff Writer, 609-272-7257
Published: Saturday, May 10, 2008
CAMDEN - The Pleasantville man accused of accepting bribes for Pleasantville school board members has borderline intelligence and problems processing information, a forensic psychologist testified Friday.But the government questioned that assessment, detailing the defendant's school and work history to counter those claims.Louis Mister, 57, is accused of collecting $3,000 in bribes in 2006 on behalf of then-Pleasantville school board member Maurice "Pete" Callaway.Callaway testified Thursday that he told Mister the money was for his City Council campaign. The government contends, however, that Mister knew his actions were illegal. Dr. Bruce Frumkin, a Florida-based clinical and forensics psychologist, testified Friday that Mister tested in the lower 12th percentile for intelligence among people his age. That means "88 percent of people are brighter than he is," Frumkin said.During 7 hours of testing conducted Jan. 27, Frumkin said he also found Mister has "temporary inefficiencies in processing information."
But on cross-examination, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny Kramer detailed some of the records Frumkin said he considered in his evaluation. She questioned how a person with low intelligence would possess the skills for jobs such as a blackjack and roulette dealer, which Mister did for six years.Frumkin admitted that quick addition along with dexterity and control would be required for those jobs.When pressed on whether Frumkin's job history would require an intelligence level higher than he tested, Frumkin replied, "It depends.""A lot of it depends, doesn't it, Dr. Frumkin?" Kramer said.Frumkin said that is why the evaluation is a combination of behavioral analysis, third-party data such as records and IQ testing.Mister was arrested Sept. 6 with five men who had created a majority on the nine-member school board. The plan was to create a voting bloc that would help them push through contracts of people who were paying them. One of those people was roofer Bruce Begg, who was shown in a video played for jurors Thursday giving Mister money in two separate incidents June 5, 2006. Each time Begg - who was really working for the FBI when he paid the bribes - gave Mister $1,500 in cash.The defense insists Mister believed Callaway when he said the money was for his campaign.Mister is also accused of accepting a $1,000 check that was allegedly part of a payment to another board member, James McCormick, who was convicted by a jury in February. The defense claims Mister thought the check - made out to him and signed by Begg - was a loan.During cross-examination, Kramer focused on Frumkin's findings that Mister did not fake the test results. One of the tests could be evaluated, according to the manual used in translating the test, as finding the results "suppressed," meaning the subject intentionally got questions wrong, Kramer argued.Frumkin - who said he does not rely on the manual when determining results of the test he has conducted for years - disagreed with that finding."I don't go by a one-word statement of a computer score that knows nothing about the person," he said.Kramer pointed out Frumkin did not even mention the word in his evaluation."Of course not," he said. "Because that term 'suppressed' is not valid in this particular case."When allowed to expand on that answer during additional questioning from public defender Lisa Van Hoeck, Frumkin further explained why he didn't believe the word suppressed should be put into the report."I could have (included it)," he said. "If anything, it would be very misleading to people. My job is to interpret the test the best way that I can."The day began with the government resting its case without calling any additional witnesses. Frumkin was the only witness called on the shortened court day.The case will resume Tuesday, when the defense will likely call at least one witness. They have not said who that would be.In a related matter, Passaic Mayor Samuel "Sammy" Rivera pleaded guilty to attempted extortion in the case. He is one of six elected officials from outside Pleasantville who were arrested Sept. 6 in connection with the bribery scheme.At his plea hearing, Rivera admitted to accepting a $5,000 cash payment during a meeting Aug. 13. In exchange, Rivera said he agreed to use his official influence to get business for the insurance brokerage. The company was really set up by the FBI.The charge carries a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.To e-mail Lynda Cohen at The Press:LCohen@pressofac.com
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