Gay Man On Trial Seeks To Keep Partner From Testifying [View All]

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon05/11/112505spouse.htm

A gay man charged in an $11.2 million embezzlement case has asked a judge to rule that the state's marital privilege law, which protects husbands and wives from having to testify against each other in criminal court, also applies to same-sex partners.

Stephen Signorelli, of Manhattan, is fighting charges that he stole at least $219,000 from a public school district in Roslyn, N.Y., as part of a broader series of schemes that cost the district millions.

His domestic partner, Frank Tassone (pictured), the district's former superintendent, pleaded guilty this year to stealing $1 million between 1996 and 2002. As part of his plea bargain, he agreed to testify against other defendants in the case, which meant he might have to take the stand in Signorelli's trial.