Trial Of Former State Lawmaker Begins

The trial of a former Republican state lawmaker accused of misleading investors about a company's financial status and using their money for personal gain has begun after numerous delays.   Opening statements began Monday in the trial of 62-year-old Peter Beck, who has pleaded not guilty to more than 60 charges.  Beck resigned last November . He lost his re-election bid in the Republican primary last May. Prosecutors say Beck was CFO of Christopher Technologies when he misrepresented the financial status of the company to investors. Defense attorneys say the state is trying to make him the scapegoat because officials mismanaged the company and embarrassed investors.