Judge nominee testifies at 'gifting table' trial

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A lawyer nominated for a state judgeship by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has testified that she never told members of an alleged pyramid scheme that their so-called "gifting table" club was legal.

Shelley Marcus testified Monday in federal court in Hartford and contradicted statements by other witnesses that she and her father, former state Democratic Party Chairman Ed Marcus, told members of the alleged scheme that their activities were legal.

Shelley Marcus testified at the trial of two Guilford women, Donna Bello and Jill Platt, who are accused of running the scheme and defrauding the IRS and participants. Prosecutors say participants gave $5,000 contributions with the hope of getting $40,000 returns.

Malloy said recently he will be reviewing Shelley Marcus' testimony to see if her judge nomination should stand.