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Judge Excludes Some Evidence from Bid-Rigging Case

By AP

Frankfort, KY – A federal judge won't allow evidence from a 1983 antitrust case to be presented in an upcoming bid-rigging trial in Kentucky.

U.S. District Judge Karl S. Forester handed down the ruling late Wednesday in a case involving highway contractor Leonard Lawson, former Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert and Lawson aide Brian Billings. They're accused of conspiring to steer about $130 million worth of highway construction contracts to Lawson's companies. All have entered not guilty pleas.

Prosecutors wanted to include evidence from the antitrust case involving a company formerly owned by Lawson. Forester says admitting the evidence could prejudice jurors against Lawson.