Sep. 10—SCRANTON — James J. Peperno Jr. wanted to present himself as a well-meaning consultant who merely wanted payment for his work.
The jury didn’t buy it.
Jurors found the Old Forge man guilty of bribery and related counts after deliberating for seven hours over the course of two days. He was acquitted on two counts of money laundering.
During a nine-day trial, federal prosecutors with the U.S. attorney’s office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania sought to prove Peperno, 57, acted as a middle man in a bribery scheme he coordinated involving businessman Walter Stocki Jr. and former borough council President Robert Semenza.
Peperno stared straight ahead after the verdict was read. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo-Garrison requested Peperno be detained pending his sentencing, arguing he’s now been twice convicted in federal court — in 2007 for running a Ponzi scheme and now for public corruption.
Attorney Gino Bartolai, who represented Peperno, argued he is needed at home to help his mother, who is about to undergo radiation treatment.
U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion said Peperno will remain free for the time being, but warned him to make arrangements for the future, which likely holds a federal prison sentence.
“Do you understand,” the judge asked.
Peperno said he did.
Reached after the verdict, Peperno said he planned to spend the next few days with his mother and “just breathe a little bit.”
“It was a long trial,” he said. “And it was a…
