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DEL.ICIO.USMore testimony on contracts today
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The federal corruption trial of former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell will resume today with more testimony from Michael Sullivan, who was director of contract compliance for a year during Campbell’s administration.
On the stand for the prosecution, Sullivan is expected to continue testifying about Campbell’s involvement in city contracts.
On Wednesday, Sullivan said to make it easier for Campbell to identify contractors who were loyal to him, he drew up a grid of potential contractors, putting an asterisk beside names that contributed to his political campaigns.
“He was pleased to have that information,� Sullivan testified.
Sullivan also testified Wednesday that in 1994 he and the former mayor, along with city contractor Ricky Rowe, traveled together to Florida to attend a golf and tennis tournament sponsored by Black Enterprise magazine.
Sullivan said the city paid for his trip. He said he was unsure of who paid for Campbell’s but noticed that when he and Rowe were checking out of the hotel, Rowe used his credit card for Campbell’s incidentals. Sullivan said he later told Campbell about it.
“He [mayor] was upset that I allowed Mr. Rowe to pay for his incidentals,� Sullivan told the jury. “He told me that you can’t use a credit card to pay for things like that. It leaves a trail. He was upset about the manner it was paid for and a credit card receipt being generated.� Rowe died in 2004.
Sullivan said Campbell scolded him on another occasion after the mayor learned he had said unfavorable things about a member of Campbell’s inner circle.
“He said he was disappointed in me because he considered me part of the family and to not make those comments against the family,� Sullivan said.
Despite his two gaffs, Sullivan testified he remained in good graces with the mayor. In 1995, they went back to the golf and tournament outing in Florida - accompanied by another city employee. Also in 1995, Sullivan testified he was with Campbell when the Braves clinched the World Series.
“We got to be in the suite together. It was a wonderful experience. We went into the locker room, in the dugout. We would be up on the pitcher’s mound,� Sullivan recounted. Campbell, listening to the testimony, smiled.
Defense attorney Billy Martin said his team is “loaded for bear� and eager to cross-examine Sullivan today.
None of the prosecution’s witnesses appearing Wednesday said Campbell made them do anything illegal, nor did they say they saw Campbell doing anything criminal. The prosecution has argued that it is first trying to establish a pattern of behavior and later witnesses will produce evidence of criminality.
In a seven-count federal indictment, Campbell is accused of racketeering, bribery, accepting illegal campaign contributions and tax evasion during part of his two terms as mayor from 1994 until 2002. He has pleaded not guilty.
Sullivan was among several witnesses appearing for the prosecution Wednesday. Following is a recap of those who have appeared since testimony began Monday:
*Monday: Kevin Ross, campaign manager during Bill Campbell’s bids for City Council and mayor.
*Tuesday: Ross and Byron Marshall, Campbell’s former chief operating officer.
*Wednesday: Marshall, former Public Works Commissioner Doug Hooker, former Hartsfield International Airport Deputy General Manger Steven Baker, former Public Works Commissioner Jarvis Middleton, and Michael Sullivan, former contract compliance director.
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