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DEL.ICIO.USClub owner’s testimony debated
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A decision this morning by U.S. District Judge Richard Story could determine what happens with key prosecution witness and strip club owner Michael Childs in the federal corruption trial of former Atlanta mayor Bill Campbell.
Childs could be one of the most damaging witnesses in the case. The question is: Who will he hurt most - the defense or the prosecution?
Childs would testify about $50,000 in bribes he allegedly channeled to Campbell through Campbell crony Dewey Clark, in exchange for a liquor license.
But Childs would be grilled on cross-examination by Campbell’s attorneys because he is a convicted arson who is testifying in exchange for a plea deal with the Feds.
The prosecution said Monday it wants to call Childs’ lawyer, Alan Begner, to the stand today to testify about conversations the club owner had with Campbell about bribes.
Campbell attorney Billy Martin said calling Begner is a ploy by the government to get testimony indirectly from Childs while not putting him on the stand, where his testimony could be challenged by the defense.
Judge Story said he would decide overnight and rule first this morning whether to allow Begner to testify about Childs.
Another witness that may take the stand today is George Greene, who, as the owner of Sable Communications, allegedly channeled at least one $4,000 cash bribe to Campbell, according to witness Dewey Clark.
Other likely witnessses today include Hakim Hilliard, former assistant attorney for the city of Atlanta and Angelo Fuster, a former communications director for the city.
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