Prosecutors told a New York state judge Monday that there would be no plea deals for the men accused of orchestrating a $100 million corporate bribery and kickback scheme and that they were headed for trial in January, prompting defense attorneys to cry foul.

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Counsel for Baselice, Jeremy B. Shockett of Anderson Kill PC, argued that the district attorney wasn't being evenhanded and that defendants in other cases involving guns and financial crimes are getting deals, but his client, accused of a nonviolent crime, is being snubbed.

"I don't know what sets my client and co-defendants apart," Shockett said. "It's a little frustrating to hear the DA saying, 'No, we're going to trial.'"

Shockett said he had been speaking with Assistant District Attorney Christopher Beard earlier in the case, when others scored plea deals, and things had been going "very well."

"I'm surprised at the bright line that they're drawing in the sand in a nonviolent case ... in a case they have now admitted does not have substantial organized crime ties," he said.

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