Rick Mariano: ‘So you don’t think I’m nuts, right?’

Hey, remember Rick Mariano? Sure you do. He climbed to the top of City Hall, got indicted for bribery, convicted of bribery and also got hit by a gate while walking out of City Council.

It’s been a while since we’ve checked in with ol’ Ricky, but since the Inquirer notes today some recent unsealed court documents, it’s time to take another look. The key conversation Inky reporter Michael Currie Schaffer recounts is between U.S. Judge Lawrence Stengel and Mariano, concerning the then-City Councilman’s competency to cooperate with investigators after his conviction:

Stengel: I’m satisfied you’re competent to make any decisions that you have to make here.

Mariano: So you don’t think I’m nuts, right?

Stengel: Well, it’s not for me to say.

Mariano: You won’t go that far.

Stengel: The psychiatrist certainly confirmed that you’re competent to make choices about your case and you understand.

Mariano: I assure, Judge, I’m not suicidal or nuts.

Stengel: OK

Mariano: No nuttier than -

Stengel: OK, than the rest of us.

Mariano: Well, than anyone in this position.

Rick’s right. When other standing government officials were indicted for bribery, they weren’t nearly that funny afterward.

What the judge said about Mariano’s sanity [Inky]
Archives: Rick Mariano