What to Know

Konstantinos "Kosta" Diamantis, a former state deputy budget director, is on trial accused of demanding bribes from construction firms in exchange for state contracts.

On Friday, Diamantis was back on the stand for the federal corruption trial and he faced questions from prosecutors.

Prosecutors presented text messages and emails to try and show the jury that Diamantis forced two contractors to pay him bribes and one to hire his daughter and, in exchange, allegedly used his office over state school construction money to get them work.

Diamantis denies that he did any of that. He has admitted to taking money from one contractor but said it was only to set up a meeting.

Judge Stefan Underhill told the jury they could hearing closing arguments as early as Tuesday.

The trial

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