The judge presiding over the larceny trial of Tyco International Ltd.’s former top executives Tuesday allowed jurors to see a 15-minute videotape of ex-chief executive L. Dennis Kozlowski’s luxury Fifth Avenue apartment.
The tape contains shots of the New York City apartment’s numerous furnishings, including a $6,000 shower curtain and $40,000 worth of draperies, that prosecutors contend were improperly bought with Tyco money.
In allowing the jury to see the tape, Judge Michael Obus said he agrees it is relevant to larceny, corruption and other charges filed against Kozlowski and Tyco’s former financial chief, Mark H. Swartz.
The tape shows “property purchased with Tyco money,” the judge said. “The defense will be free to show or to argue that there’s nothing wrong with that.”
Prosecutors have said they plan to submit the tape into evidence Tuesday afternoon when they question a decorator of the apartment.
The defense had objected to the tape, saying it would unfairly influence jurors because of Kozlowski’s wealth.