Painful as the whipping was, Symington knew it meant nothing unless the pension funds can prove they reasonably relied on his financial statement -- a hurdle Symington says Manning won't overcome.
Symington bantered with reporters and said he was pleased with his testimony. Asked how he graded his preparation of the December 31, 1989, financial statement given to the union pension funds, Symington gave himself a B or a B plus.
"It's impossible to prepare a 100 percent accurate personal financial statement," he said. "You will always, unless you're a professional, make errors and omissions."
Symington thanked the press for attending and bade farewell, saying he was flying to California to join his wife for the weekend.
Asked to make a prediction on the case, Symington demurred.
"I just hope it works out. If it doesn't, life will go on."
Contact John Dougherty at 602-229-8445 or at his online address: john.dougherty@newtimes.com
