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Two sides argue merits of case

By CARRIE WEIMAR
Published November 16, 2006

TAMPA - During nearly three weeks of testimony, the government portrayed Operation Misplaced Trust as a thorough investigation into people who bilk insurance companies by staging auto accidents for money.

Defense attorneys called the FBI probe a waste of money and a sham that set out to catch high-level criminals but wound up snaring poor immigrants.

The two sides clashed Wednesday during closing arguments before U.S. District Judge Richard Lazzara, in a trial that will decide the fate of a former Tampa injury clinic owner and three other people.

The clinic owner, Alfredo Polo Padron, was charged with four counts of mail fraud and one count of conspiracy. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

Denise St. Fleur, Jean Maxie Ciril and Amos Odin are charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of mail fraud, and could spend 10 years in prison.

A point of contention was the role of a confidential witness - Tampa lawyer Michael Sperounes.

Sperounes, who was also part owner of a personal injury clinic, offered to help the FBI after he was subpoenaed by a grand jury in 1998. He began taping people he suspected were involved with insurance scams, according to court testimony.

When the FBI asked the Florida Bar for permission to allow Sperounes to continue taping people, a representative from the Bar told Sperounes to stop or he would be prosecuted for ethics violations. So the FBI set up its own company and hired Sperounes to work for it.

Sperounes was not asked to testify for the government. But Padron's attorney, Richard Escobar, called the informant as a witness.

Escobar asked whether it was ethical for Sperounes to own a personal injury clinic.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Hansen told jurors to focus on the evidence, including signed documents he said proved the defendants understood what they were doing.

Jurors are expected to begin deliberations today.

Carrie Weimar can be reached at 813 226-3416 or cweimar@sptimes.com.

[Last modified November 16, 2006, 01:27:09]