The short answer to the question of whether Chester County businessman Richard Ireland’s surprise midtrial acquittal on bribery charges Monday will impact former state Treasurer Rob McCord’s upcoming sentencing is “no”—but the long answer is much more complicated.
McCord, as part of his plea deal, testified against Ireland at trial. While it would be improper to condition a cooperating witness’ plea deal on the outcome of a case in which he testified, McCord’s less-than-damning testimony during Ireland’s trial, which formed much of the foundation of Ireland’s acquittal, could become a problem for the ex-treasurer at sentencing, according to several white-collar criminal defense lawyers, some of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity.
