NEW YORK, NY September 27, 2005 —After months of awaiting trial and weeks of testimony, a jury is deciding the fate of Assemblyman Clarence Norman, the head of the Brooklyn Democratic Party. WNYC's Fred Mogul has more.

In closing arguments Monday, Norman's defense attorney, Edward Rappaport, portrayed his client as the victim of circumstance, human error and a vindictive prosecution. Rappaport said that Norman had not realized he had exceeded state election limits for donations from a single contributor.

The donor in question - a lobbyist for the state's gas stations - paid for campaign expenses such as signs and bags, but did not notify Norman's treasurer. The defense attorney also said the gift was under the state cap because Norman shared it with two other candidates.

Prosecutors say those politicians did not authorize Norman to accept money on their behalf, and they say the 11-term Assemblyman blamed everyone but himself for what they described as a scheme to launder money into and out of his own personal accounts. Jury deliberation continues today. For WNYC, I'm Fred Mogul.