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DEL.ICIO.USDefense: FBI pressured family of key witness
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bill Campbell attorney Billy Martin continued his onslaught against Dan DeBardelaben during cross-examination Friday morning.
Martin accused the former golfing buddy of the mayor of lying and only agreeing to come out against Campbell after the FBI had started placing pressure on DeBardelaben’s family.
“When your family was brought in, the biggest concern you had was your brother Bill, correct?� Martin asked.
Martin said that FBI officials came to the office of his brother, Bill Debardelaben, at the Social Security Administration, and questioned him.
“He asked you what was going on didn’t he,� Martin said. “He said fix this, right.�
“He informed me that the FBI showed up at his job and had questions,� DeBardelaben said. “My family members were drawn into this.�
Between March 2003 and March 2004, DeBardelaben admitted he repeatedly lied to federal authorities about his relationship to Campbell. He said he never gave Campbell any money.
Martin countered that DeBardelaben changed his story only after the feds started questioning his family and they agreed not to prosecute him on tax violations.
Martin later questioned DeBardelaben about his long-standing friendship with Campbell that he said started in the mid-1980s, during a pick-up basketball game.
DeBardelaben had testified that during a golf game, when he brought up a potential city contract with Sam Barber to address the city’s Y2K concerns, Campbell asked: “What’s in it for me.�
DeBardelaben said, ” … it was clear, what he meant.â€?
Martin countered that his relationship with Campbell had never been based on business and asked DeBardelaben why didn’t he challenge his friend on the question.
“I could have. I wish I had,� DeBardelaben said. “If I had, I wouldn’t be sitting here today.�
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