Talk of the Town

By Carmella Brooks

March 10, 2006 06:19 PM | Link to this

My response to the jury’s verdict: They expressed my exact sentiments!

By Tim

March 10, 2006 06:21 PM | Link to this

Something tells me that talk (Hate) radio is not going to like todays verdicts.

By Lee

March 10, 2006 06:21 PM | Link to this

Predictable … Predictable …. Predictable … you must always remember … this is the ATL ….

By boxer

March 10, 2006 06:22 PM | Link to this

O.J., Michael Jackson and Bill Campbell. Now that’s justice for you.

By Mick Stone

March 10, 2006 06:23 PM | Link to this

If Bill Campbell won all that money gambling as he claimed, he’d be barred from the Casinos for life!

By DeWayne Ross

March 10, 2006 06:25 PM | Link to this

I not only THINK he is a damned crook, I know it to be a fact!

I have attempted to do business with this weasel!!

Hedge it any way you want to COX/News, the man is crooked!

DeWayne A. Ross 1955 Bells Ferry Road Apt 317 770-514-9237 Home 678-386-5770 Cell ross7351@bellsouth.net

By aldc

March 10, 2006 06:26 PM | Link to this

Our country’s court system is a joke!

By James T. Polk

March 10, 2006 06:26 PM | Link to this

Andy was right.

By Amy

March 10, 2006 06:26 PM | Link to this

This is the biggest farce of a verdict since the O.J. Simpson trial. To find Campbell not guilty of the racketeering charges defies logic.

By Tim

March 10, 2006 06:27 PM | Link to this

I agree with the tax evasion-that’s obvious. So tired of the racist take by Campbell. At best he had no clue as to the mismanagement and corruption surrounding him all the time. I think he’s just been what many politicians are-crafty. Too bad our city has been tarished by a man with such a broken moral compass. Hope he’s enjoying living out of state now. Thanks for nothing Bill….

By Ex-Northerner

March 10, 2006 06:30 PM | Link to this

Don’t forget O.J. I doubted that he would be convicted because the racketeering evidence, while probably founded in fact and certainly morally reprehensible, was still weak.

But more importantly, what’s up with the Mrs? What kind of self-image does she not have to put up with him. Are women of these type of a-moral, powerful men so tied to their lifestyle that self-respect means nothing? I can’t imagine walking next to him much less holding his arm. She spared herself the days that the mistresses testified, but he still is undoubtedly a womanizer. You don’t quit that behavior overnight. I guess “denial” IS a river, but it ain’t in Africa. It flows in the ATL. Rather disgusting to me.

By Wiley Sims

March 10, 2006 06:30 PM | Link to this

Black folks run the city—-and Bill’s behavior while in office was acceptable.

If white folks were in charge, the story may have been different.

W said it best—-the the prejudice of low expectations was at work here.

If we are lucky, Campbell will never be heard from again.

By m

March 10, 2006 06:31 PM | Link to this

I am a black man. Im not a sellout…Im a democrat. BILL IS GUILTY! Glad he will serve some time for his actions. He held the city of Atlanta back with his undercover double life…boy, if i could make 600k a year, and not withdrawl 100 dollars from my account in 1 year…i’d be locked up. Hope he gets 10years for his actions

By J

March 10, 2006 06:32 PM | Link to this

Poker Game,How convenient.

By gottca

March 10, 2006 06:32 PM | Link to this

no more response to this left wing crap

By Bobbi

March 10, 2006 06:33 PM | Link to this

typical….

By A.K.

March 10, 2006 06:34 PM | Link to this

“O.J., Michael Jackson and Bill Campbell. Now that’s justice for you.” What about Danny Heatly? No concrete evidence. How can you convict a man on hearsay.

By Mark

March 10, 2006 06:35 PM | Link to this

I watched Campbell gamble at the Hollywood Casino in Tunica. He is a really bad gambler and a sore loser. I would love to take any and all his bets. There is no way he won money gambling. I think, in my opinion, that he is a liar and an adulter who got off lightly today. He is a smart man and kept his tracks covered. And it is amazing how he has gotten to be such a religous man. I think there is a commandment about adultery somewhere in The Bible!

By Mel in Midtown

March 10, 2006 06:35 PM | Link to this

This is “OJ South.” Most blacks will feel that he is vindicated. Most whites will think that it is incredulous that Bill Campbell could trravel the world with not one, but TWO mistresses and not account for the tens of thousands of dollars that he spent on them and other things.

By Zach

March 10, 2006 06:35 PM | Link to this

I think he treated this as he did while in office but this time he bribed the jurors and got away with it.

By Wilbur Froehill

March 10, 2006 06:36 PM | Link to this

Bill wins!! Justice prevailed. Get over it lynch mob!! Just trying to bring a black man down. America hates strong Black men. That s why the prisons are full!!

Great day to be an Arican-American,

Wil

By Marie

March 10, 2006 06:38 PM | Link to this

Sounds like another OJ, doesnt’ it? Circumstantial eveidence is all they will ever get on clever thieves. Too bad the jury just put an OK stamp on corruption!

By MRC

March 10, 2006 06:39 PM | Link to this

I think the jury was wrong. I’m black and I know they were wrong; as well as in the O.J. Simpson case. Unfortunately whenever someone of color screams “racism” it is always taken into account, even though it may be false. I don’t see how his wife stuck with him. There is no way on God’s green Earth that I would of stuck it out with my husband if he acted in the way Bill Campbell did. She’s a sucker, basically. I don’t think that you, Mr. Wiley Sims, is incorrect, but white folks are crooked, too. Don’t try to place the blame on all of us black people.

By Red

March 10, 2006 06:39 PM | Link to this

Bill is a stud—I am jealous!!

By fayce2b

March 10, 2006 06:40 PM | Link to this

What justice? He is a convicted felon. That is justice! What set of facts to people of Atlanta have to have to convict a black man.

By Marcus

March 10, 2006 06:40 PM | Link to this

I listened to Campbell say how he got more money from the federal government than any other mayor. Yet, he left the city deep in debt, a crumbling infrastructure and under paid workers. I wonder where all that money went? Also, to be such a great and stand up guy, why did he hang out and ask for money from all these so called criminals that testified against him? You are only as good as the company you keep.

By B Hud

March 10, 2006 06:42 PM | Link to this

This is a joke!! The guy obviously doesn’t have a moral strand in his body. Watching the LIVE response from him now. He has said the same thing to every question. He had the audacity to to bring up his great wife right now. The plan truth is the verdict was very predictable. He won’t spend a day in jail. Pitifull!!!

By MRC

March 10, 2006 06:42 PM | Link to this

Will, your comment is so typical of an ignorant black man. Get over the “black-white” issue and grow up. There is not one white person holding me back from doing whatever I want to do; only myself.
I do believe that America hates strong black men, but I believe America hates IGNORANT black men more. America, as-in everyone in it, including black people. Furthermore, I’m not an African-American. I am a Black American. I was not born in Africa nor have I ever been there, nor do I plan on going there. Take the blinders off and wakeup to reality.

By chairman

March 10, 2006 06:42 PM | Link to this

IN THE END, A WITCH HUNT

By Al D

March 10, 2006 06:43 PM | Link to this

Bill Campbell, obviously guilty, gets off like OJ because of buddies on the jury by playing the race card. No justice for crooks in this city.

By McD

March 10, 2006 06:43 PM | Link to this

Did anybody really expect anything else? We know he’s guilty as the day is long.

By Charlotte

March 10, 2006 06:43 PM | Link to this

Why are we not surprised that Sullivan was found guilty, but not Campbell (of the major charges)? Apparently, black jurors think that anything a black man does is just fine. Remember the corrupt mayor in Washington, DC, who was returned to office after serving prison time?

We just have to hope that Brian Nichols won’t walk away laughing.

By David

March 10, 2006 06:44 PM | Link to this

Too bad he wasn’t on trail for incompetance, incompetance, and incompetance, not to mention favoritism and incompetance.

By Rick

March 10, 2006 06:45 PM | Link to this

It’s not a total loss. He’s a convicted felon now. Can’t he lose his law license for that? Plus he will probably have to pay a large fine on the tax charges. And his wife will never look at him the same way again. He was smart. He made sure there would always be plausible deniability. He won’t see much jail time, but his life has been wrecked in many ways.

By Bryant

March 10, 2006 06:46 PM | Link to this

I had no doubt that Bill Campbell is guilty of taking cash and the charges against him.

I also had no doubt he would be acquitted of these charges. That’s the way it works if you have high priced lawyers who can turn the jury’s heads around and get him off. I hate to slam the Government Prosecutors, but they don’t aren’t usually as talented as the defense teams. If they were they would be in private practice making a lot more.

I have wondered also if Bill Campbell even has a conscience, or he believes in his heart that his actions are totally accepted by the Black communty.

(sigh)…..Another O.J. for sure.

Bryant

By gary mitchell

March 10, 2006 06:46 PM | Link to this

Didn’t the trial of Al Capone end this way? It’s not if Bill will serve it’s how much. I hope his next “mistress” is Fed Pen Ben

Gary Mitchell

By tim

March 10, 2006 06:46 PM | Link to this

So Wil, how did Bill win again? And a great day to be an African American means if you just get convicted of tax evasion, that’s reason to celebrate? He is a cheat and a liar. You call that success. You can’t handle the truth.Again, you suffer the predudice of low expectations…Tell me ONE thing the man did for Atlanta that’s regarded a success?

By JimC

March 10, 2006 06:46 PM | Link to this

What a joke. The jury was either totally stupid or they knowingly chose to let a criminal go free.

Positive proof that the race card still works wonders for black criminals.

By eric

March 10, 2006 06:47 PM | Link to this

Guilty on all counts! Guilty, Guilty ,Gulity.

By Rick

March 10, 2006 06:48 PM | Link to this

Hey Wilbur…this has nothing to do with race. I pay all of my taxes. I don’t like it, but it’s the law. Don’t you pay your taxes? Bill Campbell thought those same rules didn’t apply to him. Doesn’t that bother you?

By Patrick

March 10, 2006 06:49 PM | Link to this

So typical in the “ATL.”

I met Bill Campbell in 96, during the Olympics at a Phipps Niketown event, and I knew then he was a schmoozer. I don’t understand how he can be found guilty of tax fraud, yet he’s innocent of political corruption. It is true that he only withdrew $69 from his account in 1999, but they couldn’t prove that people gave him cash whenever he bribed someone.

Hey…if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck….then I guess it’s Bill Campbell. I’d love to run for mayor in Atlanta, but I’m afraid I wouldn’t get the majority vote.

By Wm Lovern

March 10, 2006 06:51 PM | Link to this

I just finished listening to Mr Campbell’s post verdict statement and it is regretable that he continues to spin the media and the facts. The cash which he claimed in the final stages of his trial was gleaned from gambling winnings has suddenly been replaced with a “few minor errors in the recording of speech income” Unless he shows some honest remorse for his criminal tendencies he should get a liberal amount of jail time to learn how to keep better records.

By Tony Stokes

March 10, 2006 06:53 PM | Link to this

Typical Campbell fashion …. Nothing stuck to such a slick character …. Guilty of all charges …. but his being a 7 year old only black student …. lead him to the man he is today …. entitlement!!!!

By George

March 10, 2006 06:54 PM | Link to this

What’d you expect in this town??

This is “our OJ”.

He was one of the most corrupt mayors I’ve ever seen. And it’s as plain as day too.

Pathetic. I always said that the jurors need to be blindfolded in trials like this. They shouldn’t know who is on trial, or what color they are. Only the facts.

But hell, this town reduces everything, every-damn-thing down to black and white, race.

This is the most racist/bigoted town I’ve ever seen.

By L W Morris

March 10, 2006 06:55 PM | Link to this

All this verdict conveys is the fact that its alright to be a corrupt politician. You can beat the system. Go for it.

By Danny

March 10, 2006 06:56 PM | Link to this

Bill must belong to one powerful Fraternity.

By Jeff

March 10, 2006 06:56 PM | Link to this

Goodbye Bill!!

By Wilbur Froehill

March 10, 2006 06:58 PM | Link to this

MRC—-you are a sell out.

Rick—-Can you spell reparations?

Everyone else—-white folks—get over it—you ain’t always calling the shots amymore. The Man comes in all colors these days. Is this a great country or what!!!

Liberty and justice for all!!

Wilbur

By Bortzy

March 10, 2006 06:58 PM | Link to this

We all realize that Bill Campbell is a black man who held a position that most white males think that they should have had. Why is it that every time a black man is found not guilty of a crime that the majority of all the white people get outraged? White polictians commit these same types of crimes everyday, in all branches of government and nothing is never said about it. Bill Campbell has been a marked man in this town for a long time, and he’s probably alot better off where he is in Florida. I’m glad it’s over so now they can select the next Black man in some high position and try to lynch him. Yes, he lived a very questionable lifestyle but thats something that he will have to anwser to at another time and place. Let God do what the jury could’nt. If the DA had proved their case beyond the personal hatry that they displayed they may have won on all counts. Thats what happened with O.J and Micheal Jackson, the jury can tell when a DA makes it personal and openly shows it. A lesson learned. Oh well!

By Renee

March 10, 2006 06:58 PM | Link to this

What do you expect from a city run entirely by blacks? It would not matter if he killed a baby, he would have been found guilty because of his race in this racist city. Amd by racist, I mean the blacks are racist against whitey.

By aj

March 10, 2006 06:59 PM | Link to this

Scumbag should rot. He raped the citizens of Atlanta and lined his own pockets. I hope he spends a long time in jail!

By Patrick

March 10, 2006 06:59 PM | Link to this

Yeah Wil, Get off your race card. You can’t tell me that America hates all strong black men. We just hate the ones that have sorry-a* attitudes and feel like society owes them something. What about all the black NBA players that plenty of whites spend their money to go see, what about the artists of Hip-Hop that plenty of white Americans relate to, and what about Martin Luther King Jr. who fought for rights for all people? I’m white, and I’d lift him up anyday!

Signed, A Scottish, English, and Dutch American.

By PC

March 10, 2006 07:00 PM | Link to this

I had already predicted this outcome before the trial even started. This is not news to me. I assume the evidence presented to the jury was different than the evidence the media presented to the public. Go figure…

By Red

March 10, 2006 07:01 PM | Link to this

Bill just made Black folk proud all across this country. Finally balck people get the same justice as the white man!!!

By George Carter

March 10, 2006 07:01 PM | Link to this

Atlanta is the new “Chocolate City” and there was no way he was going down. Brothers takin care of brothers. This was not justice.

By mza

March 10, 2006 07:01 PM | Link to this

I have followed the case, mostly through the paper, and all I can say is that this comes as a huge surprise. How the jury has refused to put “two and two” together is absurd. How can they go to sleep at night?

By Lee

March 10, 2006 07:05 PM | Link to this

Large corporations are moving, unemployment is rising, thugs are taking over the city .. Bill Campbell along with too many other crooks pretty much get off the hook … no wonder NASCAR HOF didn’t want to come here … lets face it folks, the reputation of this city is not improving as much as you may think !

By Robin Huud

March 10, 2006 07:05 PM | Link to this

Bill Campbell is a crook who got off light in a black racist city. I am so pleased he was exposed for what he is a womanizing crook; he got of light becasue Atlanta is a black city. This is just another blight on a city that is going down hill fast.

By kat

March 10, 2006 07:06 PM | Link to this

yep. michael and bill. yes, justice finally. praise God!

By Don

March 10, 2006 07:08 PM | Link to this

He was just another “innocent politician”. The terms “innocent” and “politician” are beginning to be an oxymoron when used jointly in the English language. We need people to honestly represent the citizens. Why is this such a difficult concept? With this being said, “guilty”. Now, let’s heal and move on.

By CBJones

March 10, 2006 07:08 PM | Link to this

To all the fools out there who think this trial was not a joke, you now have the jury telling you just that. I could care less about who sleep with who, I do care when out justice department use my tax dollars to carry out a witch hunt on a person, simply because they don’t like them and what them to go to jail for it. This use a waste of time and money on a case that should have not went to trial. Congrats to Mr. Campbell, and this is what you call justice. Don’t feel bad because the jury did their job. Let have a trial for Bush and all his friends that are stealing from us while we watch, with this war and his push for the port authority deal, how much is he getting paid for that? If you want justice call for Bush Inpeachment today!!!!!!!!

By F. Smith

March 10, 2006 07:09 PM | Link to this

The jury rendering this verdict joins the O. J. Simpson jury in THE HALL OF SHAME.

By Currie

March 10, 2006 07:11 PM | Link to this

Can anyone buy that “he was surrounded by crooks who where using his name without his knowledge” crap? Oh, right, the jurors can. Stainless Bill took the torch from a line of dirty Georgia politicians. What chaps me is the blatant way he did it…yet he can’t be convicted of bribery.

By donald williams

March 10, 2006 07:11 PM | Link to this

Bill ran the office with incompetence,I feel sorry for Mrs. Franklin and how she had to take over after years of the good old boys ruining Atlanta and using the office as a personal piggy bank. I am sorry for the people of Atlanta and know that in their hearts Bill was guilty as Hell but alas they didn’t want to see Bill back here so I guess they will send him to some golf course in Florida to do his time. Maybe someday he can admit he shafted the people of Atlanta, as did others before him. Here was a man with a great future in politics and screws it up over a few mil. How dumb could he get. I had hoped he would not have been one of the good ole boys but I guess the temptation was too great.

By Anonymous

March 10, 2006 07:12 PM | Link to this

It’s 2006 in Atlanta. Do you think a wealthy black man will be convicted? I guarantee you that the African American jurors brought up the race card.

By j

March 10, 2006 07:12 PM | Link to this

This is less about race and more about socio-economic status. Cambell (and OJ and former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy etc) all defeated the government because they have money. Cambell tried to spin this into a racial issue and based on the previous comments he has succeeded. The real problem is money (and the lawyers that money buys) can defeat almost any charge. The rich get away free and society is left poorer.

By Randall

March 10, 2006 07:13 PM | Link to this

SELLOUT Blacks on the jury should be ashamed of themselves. They sent one of their own kind to jail for some racist white federal prosecutors.

Unless Campbell killed someone or molested a child, I would have never convicted him, especially of hiding a few dollars from a racist American government who enslaved and brutalized Black Americans for centuries.

Do you really think this government cares about you BLACK AMERICA? Wake up.

Just like those whites acquitted other whites of lynching Blacks, earlier this centrury, I would have set this man free and felt great about it!

By john

March 10, 2006 07:14 PM | Link to this

No surprise, black will not convict blacks. What has happened to America?

By KAD

March 10, 2006 07:16 PM | Link to this

Once again we have seen why we need professional jurors, that can view a case with no regard to race.

By MM

March 10, 2006 07:16 PM | Link to this

As a black woman, I would appreciate it if black people in general and especially black men stop making excuses everytime someone of color is on trail. The jails are full of black men because our black brothers continue to make stupid choices. If you feel the “system” is out to get you, stop giving the “system” something to work with. I am highly disappointed in Bill Campbell. He is yet another black man who chose to be unfaithful to his wife. What you do in dark will come to light is some form or fashion. Being black did not make him cheat on his wife and avoid paying his taxes!

By George Carter

March 10, 2006 07:16 PM | Link to this

Randall…You are an idiot.

By Todd

March 10, 2006 07:18 PM | Link to this

Total BS, this guy is so corrupt…..Thanks JURY, PS GET A CLUE!!!!

By jim

March 10, 2006 07:18 PM | Link to this

It seems that this is another case off race.Some bird of a feather will take care of each other.These people should no better. But until someone admits that people off all colors do thing wrong. They will be certain people that get away with most anything. And the big notion is that they could never be guilty off anything Because they can do no wrong.

By la

March 10, 2006 07:18 PM | Link to this

Praise the lord. Bill Campbell is innocent. This is another media and court lynching of another successful African-American Male in this country. The Government wasted millions of dollars to put on this weak case. There was no evidence to tie him to these charges. Only the strong survive.

By Marcus

March 10, 2006 07:21 PM | Link to this

Will Randall

Reparations…..been getting those in the form of welfare, affirmative action, and hand outs for years. If the majority of blacks would get an education and learn to shop and save then they would be better off. Do you hate the Africans that sold you in the 1600 and 1700’s? Oh yes your brothers back then were selling you out too. Oh but you people don’t want to talk about that! GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND GET SOME CLASS!

By I Just Wonder....Hmmmm

March 10, 2006 07:23 PM | Link to this

I wonder if all these fine folks that are decrying the outcome of this trial as “OJ all over again” will scream as loud when Tom Delay is aquitted of all serious crimes, Dick Cheney is not even tried for blowing a CIA agents cover or when Bush (after his presidency ends) repeats the Reagan copyrighted mantra, “I don’t recall” to all questions about his illegal activites as the highest elected official of this country.

I JUST WONDER…..

By Anon

March 10, 2006 07:24 PM | Link to this

Look at the headlines, Coke gave $10 million to 5 executives last year. 106 new billionaires were made last year. RadioShack gave $1 million severance package to their CEO after it was found he made up college degrees on his application. More tax breaks for businesses and the wealthy.

Instead of fighting black against white, this should be poor versus rich. It’s time that average american’s stand up to the oppression from the rich.

By sylvia

March 10, 2006 07:24 PM | Link to this

I’m delighted! that Mr. Campbell was cleared. I think he was targeted first and foremost because he is an outspoken black man who dared to stand tall, be strong and wasn’t afraid to “forget his place!” in an angry white man’s society! Wish there were more strong, proud black men like him!

Hurray! Mr. Cambpell!!

By Kim

March 10, 2006 07:32 PM | Link to this

Now that Bill has been tried and found guilty in a split decision. Bill will deal with the consequences of his actions. Which one of our trusted politicians life and income will be probed next. The precedent has been set. If it was not just a witch hunt and only justice. Let’s see who will be next and whose life could stand that type of a probe. Could yours?

By Ernie

March 10, 2006 07:33 PM | Link to this

I was hoping that at last the city of Atlanta would send a message to all of their corrupt political incombents and hopefuls that the corruption that has existed for so many years would no longer be tolerated but alas, that is not to be.

By Sophie

March 10, 2006 07:49 PM | Link to this

Shame on the prosecutors; they could not come up with anything but the old tax evasion strategy, which is nothing but criminal justice 101. Bill Campbell was innocent from the beginning and they spent all the tax payers money (over 40 million dollars) to convict someone of less than $200,000. This goes to show you that there is good and evil in all races of people.The ones who wanted him convicted are evil doers and will continue their drastic ways no matter what.

You know there is corrupt in some of the system when you hear negativity about the Katrina victims but you don’t hear about the negativity in the 911 event. Why has the Enron Case been on the Down LOW? They have misused billions of dollars.

The prosecutors had no case so they TRIUMP up an old AL CAPONE ( IF WE CAN’T GET HIM ON WHAT WE WANT, WE CAN ALWAYS RESORT TO TAX EVASION). What a Rebound?

By Betty

March 10, 2006 07:49 PM | Link to this

I think Bill Campbell is guilty of the other charges, and the jury might have thought so too. But, from what I was hearing about the trial, the direct evidence to convict just wasn’t there. I think the jury probably had no other choice.

By Catherine

March 10, 2006 07:52 PM | Link to this

This is a sad day for the City of Atlanta. Forget the race card. Think about how Shirley Franklin had to lift this City out of the gutter after Campbell’s administration. Atlanta was riddled w/ debt. Campbell turned the Olympics into a flea market. The deal w/ United Water was corrupt from day one. Campbell overloaded the City Gov’t with unneccessary employees. Campbell ignored the deterioration of the City’s infrastructure, which cost the taxpayers money every day in fines from the Feds. Do you think that Campbell cared anything about the citizens of Atlanta. Heck no - he could have cared less. Go ahead and stick up for a man that is impacting your wallet every day when you pay for your higher water/sewer bills, your increased property taxes, the increased sales tax and for the ridiculous cost of doing business w/ the City of Atlanta. He’s the one really sticking it to you.

By Joe

March 10, 2006 07:57 PM | Link to this

They got Capote for tax fraud and now they’ve gotten Campbell. He can celebrate if he wants, but I bet there will be no Campbell celebration when the judge throws the book at him on the tax charges.

By sandra

March 10, 2006 07:58 PM | Link to this

What Atlanta fails to realize is that BILL still has to answer to only one person that really counts and that is GOD. He broke so many of the 10 commandments.

By UGA 72

March 10, 2006 08:00 PM | Link to this

Only in Atlanta! With the mountain of evidence provided by a number of different people, of course he was guilty!

By Betting Man

March 10, 2006 08:08 PM | Link to this

In many respects, this was a win-win for the overall Atlanta community.

This case was a near impossibility for the prosecution after the voir dire process. Throw in an impressive defense team led by Billy Martin and the nature of Federal cases in this town in general and it becomes evident that Campbell was going to walk regardless of what evidence came to light. Remember, this is a city that allowed Marvin Arrington to become a judge after his was shown on videotape taking a payoff. Throw in the history of a long list of elected officials from Talmadge to Maynard and you can easily see why Campbell skated on the serious charges.

Having said that, this is a verdict that most people can support. Campbell’s supporters will claim that he was fully exonerated on the corruption charges and that this was a witch hunt that went on for years for no reason. The prosecution can hang their hat on some serious tax charges that will result in some jail time, the loss of Campbell’s law license, and a hefty fine. Atlanta politicos and business leaders can sigh a breath of relief because this neutralizes any potential uprises in the community and continues the trend of minimizing the Morehouse Mafia faction of Atlanta politics; don’t forget that a lot of people who would publicly support Campbell if cornered did so/would do so for political reasons but privately think that he is a arrogant jerk who overreached.

In short, Campbell goes to Club Fed for two or three years max, is freezed out from getting back into the political scene again (if he even had a desire to do so), and walks away with whatever money he was able to squirrel away that the lawyers and his soon-to-be-ex Sharon can’t get.

It is the Atlanta Way…..

By Nanca

March 10, 2006 08:27 PM | Link to this

How can you think this is a black/white thing? It has to do with HONESTY. You seem to forget how much Mayor Maynard Jackson was adored by all people - black, white, Asian, Hispanic. People don’t like CHEATERS AND CHISELERS. I hope all you folks who think it’s fine he got off the hook are happy writing your checks to IRS for your taxes, knowing he felt he didn’t have to do what we little people do. And I hate how he’s humiliated his wife - that has nothing to do with being black, it has everything to do with being an upstanding man.

By tony smith

March 10, 2006 08:46 PM | Link to this

America and everyone that lives here must answer to all of the evils we have perpetrated. Bill Campbell knows whether he is guilty. The jury obviously thought otherwise. They heard all the evidence. We are only on the outside looking in. So get a life people!

By GaLiberal

March 10, 2006 08:55 PM | Link to this

People tend confuse trials vedicts with the truth. The two are completely separate. A trial presents two sides of an issue and people have to decide which has greater validity. That’s a whole lot different than devining truth. In this case (and OJs) the defense won because they were able to shoot holes in the prosecution’s case. Hence, a not guilty verdict. It’s not perfect, but it beats the alternatives.

By JC

March 10, 2006 08:58 PM | Link to this

”I was proven innocent of the substantial charges. We’ll deal with the tax charges,” Last time I checked, Tax Evasion IS a substantial charge. So is cheating on your wife. That is the worst kind of corruption there is. Enjoy the prison food Bill.

By Ginny

March 10, 2006 11:10 PM | Link to this

I don’t know about your husband, but mine doesn’t stash loads of cash in his golf bag or car, and if he had that kind of luck at the tables and was able to take that many trips, I sure as heck would have been cashing in on some of it. Civic leaders in the ATL have to take a long hard look at this and decided if this is how they want their city run. It isn’t a black thing, or a white thing. When it becomes ultimately a green thing for the man in office, we all loose.
Campbell is an embarrasment for all of us.

By Glen

March 10, 2006 11:30 PM | Link to this

WOW!!! As a new resident of ATL I must admit I don’t know all the history behind the Bill Campbell’s time as mayor; however, based on what I saw and read about the trial I am surprised at the verdict. But what is even more surprising to me is how racial the responses are!! Makes me wonder if it’s really Bill Campbell’s innocence or guilt that motivated many of these responses? Wasn’t the jury fairly racially balanced? I think one of the earlier responses captured it well…it’s about socio-economics. Every day regular no-name low lifes are found guilty, and even some regular no-name innocent persons get convicted, but with few exceptions the rich, powerful, and well-knowns just keep beating the system! Makes me ask…is it really about justice anymore? I can struggle with that question, but I dread even more when these cases come up and we get a verdict either way, if I have to ask - is it really only about race?