WILKES-BARRE - A Shenandoah businessman was on the stand Tuesday morning as testimony continued in the federal extortion trial of two former Shenandoah borough police officers.
Donald Rinaldi testified that former police Chief Matthew R. Nestor and former police Capt. Jamie Gennarini came into his office in May 2007 and threw him onto the desk, scattering papers everywhere. Rinaldi testified Gennarini said, "This is the way we do business in Shenandoah."
Nestor faces five counts of extortion, three of conspiracy and one each of obstruction of justice and a civil rights violation. Gennarini faces two counts each of extortion and conspiracy and one of a civil rights violation.
Rinaldi was taken to the Shenandoah police station, where he testified that he was incarcerated, but not arrested. His then-fiancee, Judy Paone Rinaldi, who testified Monday, paid $2,000 in order to have him released. Gennarini allegedly said Rinaldi owed him the money.
Rinaldi said he gave Gennarini a check for $3,000 on April 17, 2007.
"It wasn't a bad check, I told him not to cash it," he said, provoking laughter from some jurors.
Rinaldi said he didn't know what Gennarini was supposed to do with the check, but then asked, "What does this have to do with arresting me?"
"Mr Rinaldi, you're not to ask the questions," Senior U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo told him.
The prosecution rested its case after a morning of testimony in the federal trial of two former Shenandoah policemen. Caputo then sent the jury home for the day.