The veracity of testimony from Harry “Ray” Soucy, the former correction-officer-turned-FBI-informant, was called into question this week when details of how he attempted to give House Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero $5,000 in illegal contributions were discussed in court.
Soucy testified in court that he attempted to leave $5,000 in cash in Cafero’s office refridgerator after a meeting with smoke shop owners hoping to defeat legislation detrimental to roll-your-own cigarette shops. Cafero disputed how the events occurred Wednesday, calling Soucy’s testimony a “blatant lie.”
But secretly taped FBI video released Thursday shows Soucy did attempt to leave something in Cafero’s fridge. Cafero stops him and instructs him to take a walk with his staffer, John Healey, instead.
The transcript of the meeting is below. The video came from a device that appears to have been hidden on Patrick Castagna, the smoke shop investor who initially brought the conspiracy to the attention of federal authorities.
LC is Lawrence Cafero; PC is Patrick Castagna; HRS is Harry Ray Soucy; UF is unidentified female; JH is John Healey.
LC: Just do your business, God bless you, as long as your legal…
PC: Um, we are.
LC: As long as you’re employing people, leave people the fuck alone. That’s what’s wrong with this god damn state.
PC: Yeah.
LC: Guys it’s been a pleasure.
PC: Thank you very much sir.
LC: And I might be a future customer. (UI)
PC: Thank you very much for meeting with us today.
PR: Yeah, appreciate it. Thanks a lot, appreciate it.
HRS: Good bye, buddy. (UI)
HRS: (UI)
LC: (laughs)
HRS: So I don’t have to do a postage.
PR: I see. Here? Today?
HRS: Right now.
LC: Oh.
HRS: Right now.
LC: Uh.
HRS: (UI) walk across the street. We’ll do it right now.
LC: Yeah. Uh (UI) state party (UI).
HRS: Right.
LC: Well, I can’t do Jen.
HRS: Ok.
LC: But could I do, uh, somebody else?
HRS: Whoever you want to walk with me (UI) be back.
PC: (simultaneous) I, I, I just, I just want one of your cards.
LC: Please.
HRS: (laughs) (UI) is John around?
UF: Healy?
LC: Yeah.
UF: Um, (UI)
PC: Wow. (UI)
HRS: Is there, you got anything good cold to drink in there? (UI)
LC: (UI)
HRS: Uh, water. If you (UI). I’ll find something later, it’s not, ya know.
PC: Take a card.
HRS: (laughs) But, geez, I gotta fill out the form.
LC: No, no, no, you know what I mean. Oh, this is-
HRS: Ahhh.
LC: (laughs) Ray, wait a minute. Take a walk with Johnny, ok?
PC: This is great. This is great.
LC: Johnny Angel.
JH: Yes, sir.
HRS: Hey, John.
LC: You know Ray?
JH: Yeah.
HRS: Yeah. Let’s take a walk.
LC: Just do me a favor. I want you to punch out
JH: I knew this day was coming.
LC: Yuh. I want you to punch out.
JH: Yup.
HRS: Go over to the Officer’s Club.
LC: And I want you to just take a walk with Ray.
JH: Okay.
LC: Okay?
HRS: Alright.
JH: Absolutely.
LC: Have a little discussion, and I’ll see you later.
PC: Thank you. It was nice seeing ya.
LC: Take care. It was a pleasure. Nice seeing you.
PR: Alright, take care. (UI) Paul.
JH: Hi. John Healy. Nice to meet you Paul.
PC: Pat Castagna. John.
JH: John Healy, nice to meet ya.
PC: Nice meeting ya. Ah…
UF: Bye-bye.
PC: Bye-bye.
