Former Rivkin Radler partner Jason Kurland’s defense attorney on Monday sought to convince jurors that a man accused of cooperating with his client in a fraud and money laundering scheme actually hid his illegal conduct from Kurland and made fun of him behind his back.

Frangesco Russo pleaded guilty in May to wire fraud, extortionate collection of credit and other offenses, and he testified as part of a cooperation agreement with the government.