Will bailout hurt Cit in trial?

GUILT BY ASSOCIATION: Does Guy Hands’ best shot at winning the case against Citigroup hinge on the jurors’ emotional response to the financial crisis as they weigh the credibility of two financial bigwigs? That’s what the Wall Street Journal asked trial consultants not involved in the trial. They responded that the jury is likely to walk in disliking each side, but Citi may get the slightly shorter end of the stick. “They probably won’t trust either of them, but they’ll probably trust a non-banker rather than a banker,” said Richard Waites of jury-consulting firm The Advocates. Terra Firma may be an unfamiliar name to many of the jurors, while some of the jury experts said Citigroup may spur thoughts of government bailouts and the financial meltdown. The WSJ gave trial consultant Howard Varinsky a broad overview of the case. Which investment bank is being sued? he asked. “Oh boy,” Varinksy replied, when told it was Citigroup. (10/22a)