◆ SpookStack

4 aS and loans, they were incidental to the scam and not the heart of the transaction. The focal point of the criminal transaction here was the substantial financial benefit of $50,000 delivered to the congressmen. While anything of value Weinberg received from defendants beyond the knowl- edge of the FBI may subject Weinberg to difficulties in his relationship with the FBI, that fact would not in any way alter or detract from the acts of the defendants. Throughout these trials, defense counsel sought to make Weinberg's character and activities the key issue .before “the juries, thus distracting from the conduct and motivations - of the defendants. These issues were unsuccessful "red herrings" at the trials, and they are "red herrings" still. The court finds no constitutional infirmity in the government's use of a person of Weinberg's. background. as a central figure in this undercover operation. 2. Weinberg's Finances. Defendants also urge that their due process rights have been. infringed because of (a) the amount of money” paid to Weinberg during the investigation and prosecutions, (b) a possible promise to Weinberg of a bonus at the end, and (c) the government's failure to require Weinberg to pay income taxes.