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DEL.ICIO.USCampbell’s defense still in wings
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The federal corruption trial of former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell is expected to last six to eight weeks, but the case already is entering Week 4 of testimony and the defense has yet to present its first witness.
Much of last week, a short week for testimony because of Coretta Scott King’s funeral, which Campbell was allowed to attend, continued with the prosecution trying to show a pattern of cash spending by the former mayor. Prosecutors, who accuse the former mayor of trying to shake down contractors, called a former girlfriend who recalled how Campbell relied on cash to shower her with trips and gifts.
A federal agent tried to connect phone calls to the alleged corruption, while both sides continued to spar over what testimony should be allowed.
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS:
FORMER GIRLFRIEND TESTIFIES:
The testimony of former Atlanta TV newscaster Marion Brooks, who had a four-year affair with Campbell, overshadowed much of what jurors heard last week. Brooks, who continued to see Campbell secretly after moving in 1997 to Chicago station WMAQ-TV, said they traveled extensively to exotic locales, such as Jamaica, Mexico and Paris. She said Campbell showered her with jewelry and other gifts before the relationship ended for good in 2001. He even lent her $16,000 in cash as a down payment on a condo, she testified. When prosecutors asked whether she knew anything about Campbell taking bribes, Brooks said, “No.”
CONNECTING THE CALLS:
FBI special agent Mike Grant testified about phone calls made between city contractors Bert Timmerman, Fred Prewitt and Atlanta City Hall that appeared to implicate Campbell in a $400,000 kickback scheme involving Timmerman’s company, Eco-Tech. At one point, however, Grant couldn’t explain how Campbell could have been in on a call while on a plane at the same time.
THE UNITED WATER CONNECTION:
Prosecutors say at least one of the trips Brooks and Campbell took —- a $12,000 getaway to Paris —- was paid for by United Water, a company seeking the city’s water business. One witness said the company wanted Campbell’s help in increasing its $21.5 million annual contract to manage the city’s water operations. Another said Campbell signed seven additions to the United Water contract —- worth about $80 million over the contract’s life —- only days before he left office in December 2001. But when former United Water President David Sherman was asked if Campbell had ever taken a bribe from him or United Water, or had even suggested taking bribes, Sherman said, “No, sir.”
COMING THIS WEEK:
The United Water deal will get more attention. Also, a second woman who allegedly had a long-term affair with Campbell is expected to testify for the prosecution.
In addition, the mayor of Memphis, Willie Herenton, has been subpoenaed as a witness for the prosecution, a subpoena that caused a flurry of press speculation last week. It’s not clear when, or if, he’ll appear.
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