For the lesser charges of administrative negligence, Bryukhanov entered a plea of guilty. He contested the more serious charges of abuse of power brought against him. In his testimony, he defended the safety record of the plant and emphasized the difficulty of his duties but did little else to defend himself.[2] He knew he outcome was largely predetermined and he had at play his part.[2] His co-defendant Fomin partly blamed the operators for deviating from the test plan.[2]