Poor Boy Makes Good

During yesterday's testimony, Kontos askedquestions designed to depict the city councilloras a poor Cambridge boy who made good.

"My father came to Cambridge from Cork, Irelandin 1918," Walsh recounted under questioning fromKontos.

Walsh testified that his family lived in abasement at 24 Hurl-but Street when he was born.The councillor said he has lived at that addressor in the apartment next door all his life.

Walsh talked about how he worked odd jobs toput himself through college and law school. Healso recounted how he took care of his motherafter his father died in 1968.

He testified that he did pro-bono work out ofhis office, which he founded in a house on 954Cambridge Street two decades ago. Walsh said hedid the work because "I know what it is like notto have money, and it's part of my moralobligation to do [pro-bono work]."

He testified that he ran for city council in1971 because he "had a great interest in the cityand people." He lost that election, but came backto win a seat in 1985.

Walsh's firm became extremely profitable afterhe began doing real estate work, the councillorsaid. By 1985, Walsh said he routinely saw between30 to 60 clients and took 200 to 300 phone callseach day. His work day stretched from 8 a.m. untilafter midnight, Walsh said.

At one point, Walsh's building became socrowded that his firm had to conduct business in atrailer on the parking lot.

During the last 45 minutes of yesterday'ssession, assistant U.S. attorney Peter J. Mullincross-examined Walsh. Mullin tried to cast doubtson Walsh's assertion that Schwartz was in totalcontrol of the firm's finances