DeBartolo expected to testify in Edwards trial this week

BATON ROUGE, La. - Former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. will finally take the witness stand this week, two weeks after prosecutors in Edwin Edwards' federal racketeering trial began laying the foundation for DeBartolo's testimony.

DeBartolo could appear on the witness stand as early as Monday, although prosecutors would not confirm exactly when he would testify. Prosecutors set the stage for DeBartolo's testimony on Friday, by calling his close friend and business associate, Ed Muransky.

Muransky testified that DeBartolo kept in close contact with Edwards throughout DeBartolo Entertainment Corp.'s bid to win a riverboat casino license in 1996 and 1997.

DeBartolo admitted in October 1998 that Edwards demanded $400,000 from DeBartolo to ensure there would be no problems with DeBartolo's casino license application. DeBartolo pleaded guilty to failing to report a felony.

Edwards, his son, Stephen, state Sen. Greg Tarver and four others have been on trial since Jan. 10, accused in a series of schemes to manipulate the way the state awarded its riverboat gaming licenses. The schemes allegedly occurred before Edwards started his final term in office in 1992 and continued during and after he left office in 1996.

DeBartolo Entertainment partnered with Hollywood Casino Corp. to win a casino license for a riverboat in Bossier City, but the companies lost it when the Edwards investigation became public.

DeBartolo's testimony is the most anticipated in the trial because of his stature, and because he is the only witness who claims Edwards was directly involved in extorting money. Other witnesses have testified that Edwards had his friends and son demand money.

On the day DeBartolo pleaded guilty, a reporter asked him if he was a victim. "Yes I was," DeBartolo said.

Muransky gave many details about DeBartolo's relationship with Edwards, but could not provide details about private meetings between DeBartolo and Edwards.

One of those meeting occurred March 5, 1997, at a bar at a Baton Rouge hotel. At that meeting Edwards allegedly showed DeBartolo a piece of paper with $400,000 written on it and said: "we have to get this settled or there will be no license," prosecutor Mike Magner said.

Muransky testified that DeBartolo told him later about the meeting and the demand. DeBartolo claimed he would not pay the money, Muransky said.

However, Edwards flew to San Francisco March 12, the day before the state gambling board voted to award its final riverboat casino license to the DeBartolo/Hollywood project.

Muransky said he was leery of the meeting but joined the two for lunch. He testified he was not with the two men before or after the lunch, however.

According to the indictment, DeBartolo gave Edwards a suitcase filled with money that day. Muransky said he did not see any money exchange hands.

"When asked how he was going to transport the cash while traveling, Edwards showed DeBartolo a money vest he was wearing for that purpose," the indictment said.

Edwards has acknowledged taking the money, but says it was a payment for legitimate work he did as a consultant for DeBartolo's casino project.

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