Veteran public relations representative Charlie Russell has been let go from his duties as the media liaison for former Qwest chief executive Joe Nacchio and his attorneys – just three weeks after he was hired.
“Defense counsel, having determined that media comment is not required, have released C.A. Russell Partners from further engagement in this matter,” Russell said in an email today.
Nacchio’s criminal insider trading trial begins Monday in Denver federal court. He is accused of selling $100.8 million in Qwest stock in early 2001 while he had material, nonpublic information that the company’s finances were faltering.
Russell, 66, has worked for defense attorneys in many high-profile cases.
Two years ago, he was a spokesman for Richard Scrushy during the former HealthSouth CEO’s fraud trial. Scrushy was acquitted of 36 criminal charges but later convicted on mail-fraud and bribery charges.
After the first trial, Russell admitted he paid $2,500 to a woman who wrote and said flattering remarks about Scrushy. He said the money was for community-relations work after the trial, not payment for her statements.
Staff writer Andy Vuong can be reached at 303-954-1209 or avuong@denverpost.com.
