BAKERSFIELD -- The hearings held by the Department of Real Estate against David Crisp and Carl Cole came to a close Tuesday afternoon, with one of the accused defending himself on the witness stand.

The hearing was slated to last for three weeks, but it came to an early end after just seven days of testimony.

Embattled broker Carl Cole took the stand in his defense, saying he was preoccupied with the completion of the CSUB towers project, and that he did wrongfully sign one document under penalty of perjury.

Glenn Kottcamp, Cole's attorney, asked for leniency towards Cole, since he admitted liability in that instance.

The state did not sufficiently prove Cole was liable in many cases, and at the worst, his real estate license should be made probationary, Kottcamp said.

"Everybody makes mistakes, and I've certainly made mine," Cole said after the hearing.

Prosecutors with the Department of Real Estate said Cole let David Crisp "run amok," calling Cole an "abject failure" as a broker.

The prosecutors did not make any statements to reporters after the proceedings.

Crisp chose not to take the stand, particularly because of the impending FBI investigation, which included raids on numerous properties last September.

An administrative judge will have 30 days to return a decision against Crisp and Cole.

They could ultimately have their real estate licenses revoked.