A group of high-profile attorneys in the Capital District have coalesced to form "Lawyers for Bruno" in support of former state Senate Republican leader Joseph Bruno.

Bruno, who retired from the legislature in July of 2008, is facing federal charges for "theft of honest services" -- a sweeping indictment accusing him of abusing his public position to enrich himself.

Bruno is accused of using his position to steer contracts and grants to businesses that paid him more than $3 million in consulting fees or other compensation from 1993 through 2006, and then covering his tracks.

A press release sent by the group Thursday said the coalition was formed out of outrage by the charge: "'Theft of honest service' is the most porous use of language ever crafted," said co-chair E. Stewart Jones, Jr. "Based on its free fall application, even prosecutors across America who casually withhold evidence would be charged with this violation. No wonder legal scholars are looking at this disturbing use of the law."

The group is chaired by Stephen Coffey and Jones, and so far includes attorneys Michael Assaf, Jack Casey, Jim Crane, Harry Dagostino, Patricia DeAngelis, Marc Ehrlich, Andrew Martin and James Towne.

Bruno has pleaded not guilty to the charge. He has said the investigation is a politically motivated "fishing expedition that smells really, really bad."