Dowie's lawyers contend that subordinates padded bills without his knowledge, and Stodder said he did nothing wrong. The defense is expected to contend in closing arguments this week that government witnesses did not conclusively show the men acted with the intent to defraud the city and other clients. Dowie's lawyer, Thomas E. Holliday, told the court he was resting the case "based on the state of the evidence." Stodder's attorney, Jan Handzlik, said outside court: "The government has failed to prove that Mr. Stodder acted with a wrongful intent."

Some of you may recall that the last time I did any serious bike riding I ended up in the hospital with a banged-up head and no idea what had happened. Still, I figured I ought to be able to keep up with a 76-year-old guy with a fresh zipper down the middle of his chest. But there were two very important things I failed to consider. First, Riordan is athletic and competitive. Second, he's had a few issues with my columns over the years.