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SPRINGFIELD - The second day of testimony has begun in the extortion trial of former Leel Police Chief Joseph Buffis. (The Republican file)

(AP Photo/Ben Garver, Berkshire Eagle [file])

This is an update to a story published at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

SPRINGFIELD - The now-defunct Inn at Laurel Lake was once a hub for "swing parties," according to its owner, who is testifying in the ongoing extortion trial of former Lee Police Chief Joseph Buffis.

Ex-Lee innkeeper Thomas Fusco is the third witness to take the stand in federal court. Buffis is accused of, among other crimes, squeezing a $4,000 "donation" out of Fusco and his wife in exchange for shelving a prostitution investigation. Fusco's wife, Tara Viola, had been caught up in a police sting into a business she had launched at the inn: offering sex and massages for $200 an hour.

Buffis intervened and arranged for the charges to be dismissed after the couple agreed to pay the money to a police-sponsored charity, according to both Viola and Fusco's testimony. However, prosecutors argue that money and tens of thousands dollars more ended up in Buffis' pocket instead.

Buffis is charged with money-laundering and wire fraud as well. He has denied committing any crimes. His defense lawyer has argued that Buffis was simply disorganized and a bad bookkeeper.

Viola on Wednesday testified she began offering "happy ending massages" to help bring more money into the household. She also told jurors that her husband was in favor of the idea and helped her take come-hither photos to advertise the business on Backpage.com and Craigslist.

Fusco this morning told jurors that he didn't think the prostitution "was a big deal" because the two had been involved in "a lifestyle" for some time.

"What sort of lifestyle was that?" Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow asked Fusco.

"We were involved in a swinging lifestyle ... myself more than Tara," Fusco asked.

"Can you tell the jury what a swinging lifestyle means?" Breslow asked.

"If couples meet ... and they like each other, they can have intercourse," Fusco said.

He told jurors under questioning that he and Viola had a swinging network of around 250 couples including lawyers, doctors, teachers, sales executives, tradespeople, and even a state police officer.

He and Viola met other couples on a swinging website, he said, and took great pains to hide their hobby from their six children and the community. Fusco testified that they hosted swinging parties a few times a year at the inn, but also took great pains to keep those gatherings private and unsuspecting customers at bay.

"For obvious reasons," he told Breslow, who asked what might those be.

"Well, there's loud dance music ... and it's not exactly the kind of thing you expect to see at a bed and breakfast," Fusco answered.

In 2012, Viola and Fusco were charged with several crimes related to the alleged illegal activities at the bed and breakfast.

The Republican is in the courtroom and will provide updates on testimony throughout the day.