Home > Blog > Archives > 2006 > February
February 2006
Defense attacks witnesses’ credibility
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Defense attorneys attacked the credibility of two of the government’s key witnesses Tuesday with two witnesses of their own.
First, they called Decatur computer contractor Samuel Barber, who contradicted government witness Dan DeBardelaben, who told jurors last week that he followed Barber’s orders to pass thousands of dollars in bribes from Barber to the mayor. Barber later landed a $3 million contract with the city.
Barber testified Tuesday that he never intended to bribe the mayor. He said he simply repaid money owed to DeBardelaben, one of his subcontractors, and it was DeBardelaben’s idea to pass that money to the mayor.
Barber said he doesn’t know if Campbell ever received the money.
The defense also called former Atlanta City Councilman Derrick Boazman to the stand to counter previous claims by key government witness Dewey Clark, a former aide to Campbell.
Clark, who used to live in the mayor’s basement apartment in Inman Park, testified earlier in the trial that he either witnessed or directly passed thousands of dollars in bribes from city contractors to the mayor.
Clark claimed the mayor accepted about $50,000 in bribes from strip club owner Michael Childs, who was struggling to get a renewed liquor license for Club Nikki V.I.P. and to open a new club, Strawberries.
But Campbell eventually blocked the the liquor licenses for both of Child’s clubs after Boazman, an avid Campbell supporter, threatened to vote against the mayor on city issues, Clark testified.
“That would be foolish,� Boazman testified. “The mayor has control of the budget.�
Boazman said he, his constituents and the mayor opposed the strip clubs for other reasons like fatal shootings and allegations of child prostitution.
Boazman said Cambpell has always been “honorable and above board.�
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Young: ‘Everybody wants to be your friend’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With the persona of a preacher and statesman, former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young testified for the defense today in Bill Campbell’s federal corruption trial about the realities of being a mayor.
Young said he was constantly being approached by business people while he was mayor from 1982 to 1990.
“When you are mayor, everybody wants to be your friend,� Young testified. He said people would use his name “to make them seem they are closer to you than they are.�
But, the former mayor said, “Your real friends wouldn’t come into your office to ask you about business.â€?
In earlier testimony witnesses have said that some of Campbell’s contractor friends had free access to him at city hall, coming and going almost at will.
Young, who arrived at the Richard B. Russell Federal Building with his wife, Carolyn, was the first witness called by the defense.
Campbell, who served as mayor from 1994 until 2002, is accused of running City Hall as a criminal enterprise, taking thousands of dollars from contractors seeking to do business with the city.
Young is an ordained minister, three-term U.S. congressman, former ambassador to the United Nations and two-term mayor. He was with King when he was killed in Memphis in 1968. He also was co-chairman of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. After leaving office Young co-founded Atlanta-based Goodworks International, a specialty consulting group that promotes commercial ventures. He also sits on the boards of major organizations and corporations.
Young testified that as mayor, he asked contractors for political support. But Young said he always tried to keep a distance from the fund-raising process.
“The nastiest thing about politics is you have to personally ask people for money,� Young said. “They like to put the money in your hand. I would never let anybody put the money in my hand.�
An earlier witness in the trial, Joseph Reid, testified he once raised money for Campbell and delivered envelopes of campaign contribution checks, and sometimes cash, directly to Campbell.
Defense attorney Billy Martin gave Young latitude in responding to questions, and Young at times seemed to launch into oratory. On more than one occasion as Martin sought to move on to another question, Young raised his hand and interrupted: “Can I just say …â€? and then he would continue to talk.
Young said in an earlier interview that he was asked by Campbell’s Florida firm to be a character witness for Campbell, who was a councilman when Young was mayor.
On the stand today, Young talked about talked about Campbell’s performance the night of the Olympic Park bombing in 1996, when Campbell was into his second year as mayor.
“Both of us were up all night,� Young testified. “He was calming people down and visiting hospitals with the people who were hurt.“
Young noted that the Games continued the next morning. “I think it was one of the city’s finest hours, and he [Campbell] was at the head of it.�
The seven-count federal indictment against Campbell alleges a communications contractor seeking city business funded gambling trips for the mayor and once paid him $5,000 for a 30-minute speech to its employees.
Young also testified that he earned money delivering speeches as mayor and did not see that as a conflict of interest.
Like Campbell, Young also said he traveled constantly, taking trips on average once a week as mayor, and he was criticized for that, too. Young said he traveled on corporate planes at times, as did Campbell. Prosecutors say many of Campbell’s trips, funded by contractors, were to casinos. Young only has testified that his trips were business.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Defense begins calling its witnesses
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell’s million-dollar defense team is scheduled to take the offensive today by calling its first of several expected witnesses.
Campbell publicly criticized the government’s corruption case, which included 70 witnesses spread out during five weeks of testimony. His side gets its turn this week.
Defendants don’t have to testify or call witnesses since the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
But while Campbell said he feels confident he would be found not guilty, his attorneys are going to try to bolster their argument for an acquittal.
The witnesses planned for today:
• Andrew Young, a civil rights legend and a former congressman, Atlanta mayor and United Nations ambassador.
• Samuel J. Barber Jr., a city contractor and member of Campbell’s campaign finance committee.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sally Yates told jurors in her opening statement to the jury that Barber funneled about $50,000 in illegal contributions to Campbell through the mayor’s golfing buddy, Dan DeBardelaben. because he wanted a Y2K contract with the city. DeBardelaben testified about handing the bribes to the mayor and said after the election, Barber received a $3 million contract with the city, but complained it wasn’t enough.
Defense attorney Billy Martin told jurors in his opening statement: “Sam Barber, when confronted by the FBI, said, ‘I never gave Bill Campbell a cent,’” Martin claims Barber “lied repeatedly” and agreed to testify only after the government told him: “We’ve got you. Now, give us the mayor.”
• Lawyer Mark Trigg may testify about an uncollected $40,000 legal bill that prosecutors claim the Campbell campaign had money to pay but didn’t. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sally Yates said the Campbell campaign lied about the money it had on hand so it wouldn’t have to pay the law firm.
Instead, she said in arguments with the jury out of the room, Campell used the campaign fund money for personal expenses, and that was fraud.
In earlier testimony, one Trigg’s former law partner, Cary Ichter, testified that the firm accepted $10,000 in payment in August 1999, instead of the $40,000 owed, because the firm believed the Campbell campaign didn’t have the funds. At the time, said prosecutors, the campaign had about $80,000 in the bank.
• Zee Bradford, who worked as Campbell’s press secretary during his administration.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Andrew Young to be first defense witness
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young will be the first defense witness called in the federal corruption trial of former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell.
Young, a former U.N. ambassador, served terms as mayor from 1982 until 1990.
In an interview before Campbell’s trial began more than a month ago, Young likened the case to O.J. Simpson’s.
“This can be an O.J. Simpson trial,” Young said. “No one who’s white thinks he’s innocent. No one who’s black thinks he’s guilty.”
Young was mayor when Campbell was an ambitious young councilman.
“It’s not a personal tragedy, it’s an American tragedy,” Young said of Campbell’s struggles, including being the first to integrate public schools in Raleigh, N.C.. “His whole life, they were trying to break his spirit. He sees the trial as a continuation of what he’s gone through since first grade: Can a smart, uppity black man make it?”
Young also noted that as a politician, Campbell “had an anti-establishment attitude. … It was a fatal style. He divided the world into friends and enemies. His style was to fight enemies and help friends.”
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Campbell’s attorneys ask that case be dismissed
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Attorneys for Bill Campbell argued Monday morning that the federal corruption case against the former Atlanta mayor should be dismissed for lack of evidence and hinted at the direction their defense will take if U.S. District Judge Richard Story denies their motion.
The government called its last prosecution witness Friday, ending five weeks of testimony against Campbell, who is accused of racketeering, taking bribes, tax evasion, and misusing campaign funds.
Defense attorneys routinely ask that a case be thrown out for lack of evidence after the prosecution rests. Jurors are not in the courtroom today; the arguments are before the judge. The first defense witness is scheduled to take the stand Tuesday morning.
Campbell attorney Billy Martin attacked the government’s contention that Campbell’s trip to Paris with TV anchor Marion Brooks in July 1999 was illegal because city contractor United Water footed part of the bill for the 4-day excursion.
He said the fact that Campbell traveled with Brooks was irrelevant to the government’s case. The intent, he said, of putting her on the stand to testify about the trip and their affair was the “muddling of our client’s personal conduct.â€?
He said press coverage of Brooks’ “salaciousâ€? testimony underscored that claim: “It sells newspapers,â€? he said. “It gets people’s attention.â€?
The government failed to prove that Campbell received any kind of bribe or illegal compensation from United Water, Martin said. Since Campbell did meet with United Water officials while he was in Paris, it cannot be proved it wasn’t a legitimate business trip, he said.
Prosecutors claim that Campbell signed contract extensions for United Water, worth about $80 million, in December 2001, just before he left office. Martin said the government failed to prove that contention and did not call a key witness, DeWayne Martin, the former Chief Operating Officer of Atlanta, because he was in on the deal. DeWayne Martin has a plea agreement with the government.
“DeWayne Martin is the one we believe signed those contracts,� said Martin. Earlier in the trial, prosecutors called a handwriting expert to testify the documents were signed by Campbell.
Defense Attorney Jerry Froelich argued for the dismissal of many of the 11 counts against the former mayor and said the government case against Campbell for illegal campaign contributions and abuse of campaign funds is particularly weak.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Campbell trial resumes today
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The federal corruption trial of former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell resumed today at U.S. District Court in Atlanta.
Campbell’s defense team is expected to try to have the case thrown out, or some of the charges dismissed. If unsuccessful, the defense is expected to begin calling witnesses until Tuesday. The prosecution finished presenting its case last week.
Judge Richard Story also is expected to hear other motions in the case today.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
IRS agent: Campbell “stopped using his ATM card”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell earned and spent money between 1996 and 1999 was the intense focus of afternoon testimony Friday as prosecutors tried to link Campbell’s spending to cash given to him in bribes.
IRS agent Bill Salinski testified that while Campbell deposited most of the money he earned as Atlanta’s mayor, he withdrew very little of it to pay for any expenditures, including meals, travel and even household utilities.
Salinski testified that Campbell generally spent cash on a majority of his large and small purchases.
Between 1996 and 1999, Bill Campbell reported $661,232 in income from his city hall salary, wife’s salary and speaking fees. Between that period, Campbell’s bank withdrawals went from $19,952 in 1995 to $69 in 1999.
Salinski testified that Campbell’s spending habits dramatically changed around 1996, which is when prosecutors say Campbell started taking bribes.
“There seemed to be an abrupt change around May 27, 1996,� Salinski said. “He stopped using his ATM card.�
In 1995, Campbell withdrew $4,362.50 from his bank accounts using his ATM card. In 1996, those withdrawals were down to $1,327, followed by only $200 in 1997. In 1998 and 1998, Campbell withdrew no money using his ATM.
Testimony is continuing throughout the afternoon. Salinski is expected to be the prosecution’s last witness. The defense is expected to start calling witnesses on Tuesday.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Defense: 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.�
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Mayor’s golfing buddy to say more about bribes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The federal racketeering trial of former Atlanta mayor Bill Campbell opens Friday morning with Dan DeBardelaben on the stand facing cross-examination from defense attorney Billy Martin.
The prosecution hopes to finish its case today, but testimony may spill into Monday, with possibly two or three prosecution witnesses still in the wings.
Debardelaben, a Lithonia businessman and friend of Campbell’s, testified Thursday that in 1999 he gave the mayor $55,000 in cash bribes. He said some of the bribe money was given to him by businessman Sam Barber.
Prosecutors planned to call Barber to testify about a deal he and DeBardelaben made to sell computer software and services to the city in 1999. But, as they are wrapping up their case, U.S. attorneys have dropped witness over the last few days.
IRS agency Bill Salinski is expected to take the stand again to testify about Campbell’s bank records and expenditures as the government seeks to strengthen its case that Campbell lived on cash to disguise his spending habits, and some of the cash was from bribes.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Potential contractor: Campbell asked ‘what’s in it for me?’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dan Debardelaben, who is on the witness stand today, began his testimony before lunch. Defense attorney Billy Martin raised repeated objections to Debardelaben’s testimony, interrupting the witness 13 times in just in one hour.
DeBardelaben, once a close friend of Campbell’s, testified about a conversation he had with him at the Hidden Hills Golf and Country Club in Stone Mountain where the two were playing golf.
Debardelaben asked Campbell about doing computer work for the city. Campbell, he said, responded: “What’s in it for me?”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell Vineyard asked Debardelaben if he thought Campbell was joking. He answered: “No.”
Vineyard asked Debardelaben what happened next. Delardelaben testified that the mayor got on his cellphone and said, “Herb.” Debardelaben said that was all he heard of the telephone conversation. At the time, Herb McCall was the city’s Commissioner of Administrative Services.
McCall was found guilty in 2003 of perjury and obstruction of justice and sentenced to 21 months in prison.
In her opening statement, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sally Yates told jurors that DeBardelaben gave Campbell a cash bribe of $25,000, which DeBardelaben allegedly put in the trunk of Campbell’s car.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Witness: Campbell scalped World Series tickets
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bill Campbell scalped tickets to one of the most famous games in Atlanta sports history a witness testified Thursday morning in the federal corruption trial of the former Atlanta mayor.
Witness Richard M. Matero said he gave Campbell $2,000 for four dugout level tickets to the fourth game of the 1996 World Series between the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees. It’s the game that turned the series around, when Yankee Jim Leyritz hit a three-run homer off the Braves’ Mark Wohlers in the 8th inning, tying the game, which the Yankees went on to win, and then the Series.
Matero testified that he worked for a firm that sometimes paid Campbell as a speaker. He said the tickets had a face value of $75 each; Campbell sold them for $500 each. The tickets were paid for out of Campbell’s campaign fund.
The former Atlanta mayor is on trial for racketeering, taking bribes and misusing campaign funds and running Atlanta City Hall as a criminal enterprise.
As the prosecution pushes to close its case by Friday, two more witness are expected to testify today – businessmen Sam Barber and Dan DeBardelaben — about Campbell taking bribes in exchange for getting a contract to provide the city with computer software.
In her opening statement, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sally Yates told jurors that, when DeBardelaben asked Campbell about doing work for the city, Campbell responded: “What’s in it for me?�
She told jurors DeBardelaben also gave Campbell a cash bribe of $25,000, which DeBardelaben allegedly put in the trunk of Campbell’s car.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
IRS: Campaign money went for pleasure, not to debts
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bill Campbell owed thousands of dollars to creditors but instead used campaign money for travel, flowers, cell phones and sporting events, a government witness testified today.
In total, Campbell spent more than $36,000 of campaign money just on sports events from 1998 to 2001, according to Deborah Fitzpatrick, a supervisor with the Internal Revenue Service. The money was earmarked to pay off debts left after Campbell’s heated reelection race, she said.
Campbell’s campaign ran up several bills but creditors were told by campaign officials that there wasn’t enough money to repay the debts, according to documents shown to jurors by Fitzpatrick. Three creditors — a limousine service, law firm and poster company — were never fully paid even though the campaign’s four bank accounts had enough money to wipe out the debt, according to bank records and expenditures shown to jurors.
Instead, Campbell used more than $26,000 of campaign money from 1998-2001 to pay credit card bills, the IRS agent testified. That includes charges for trips to Miami, Raleigh, Orlando, New York, Indianapolis, Los Angeles and Raleigh — several of the same cities where two women claim they secretly met the married mayor.
In January 2000 alone, the campaign owed $8,000 to creditors, but that month the mayor spent $14,500 on Super Bowl tickets, Fitzpatrick told jurors.
As mayor, Campbell received four complimentary season tickets near home plate to see the Atlanta Braves, yet he spent $10,000 of campaign money on Braves regular season tickets and $3,300 on playoff tickets in 2000, the agent testified.
The mayor’s campaign treasurer, attorney Steve Labovitz, signed several checks from the campaign accounts over to Campbell from 1998-2004 totaling more than $11,000, according to enlarged replicas of the checks which were displayed for jurors.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Witness email: ‘I hope Campbell fries’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Testimony got a little strange Wednesday morning in the federal corruption trial of former Atlanta mayor Bill Campbell when defense attorney Fred Orr asked prosecution witness Cary Ichter about an email that Ichter sent Orr last weekend.
Ichter, an old friend of Orr and a fellow lawyer, was on the stand testifying about a $40,000 legal bill his law firm had trouble collecting from the Campbell campaign. He testified that Steve Labovitz, the treasurer of Mayor Bill Campbell’s 1997 re-election campaign, told him that the campaign didn’t have the money to pay the bill.
Prosecutors allege that, at the time, Campbell’s campaign had about $100,000. And, by claiming it did not have the money, it was fraud. Defense attorneys claim it was just a matter of an overdue bill not being paid, and did not break the law and is not part of the indictment against Campbell.
Campbell is accused of taking bribes, violating campaign contribution laws, filing false tax returns, and running Atlanta City Hall as a criminal enterprise.
On cross-examination, Orr asked Ichter about their exchange of emails last weekend. Orr said that he sent Ichter an email telling Ichter what it was like working as Campbell’s defense attorney, that the trial was long and tiring and would probably last another three or four weeks.
Ichter testified that he emailed Orr this reply: “I wish you personal luck, but I hope Campbell fries.�
Campbell’s team of attorneys had tried to keep Ichter from taking the stand and argued for 30 minutes, with the jury out of the room, that his testimony was not relevant to the government’s case against the 52-year-old former mayor.
In earlier testimony, witnesses have said that Campbell continued to raise money for his campaign fund in 1998 and 1999 even though he was not eligible to run for mayor again, and the campaign funds were used for non-campaign expenses, such as trips to Disney World.
“This is about fraud,â€? said Assistant U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. “And that’s part of our case.â€?
Orr argued that Ichter’s email betrayed “not only a personal bias, but it shows an incredible personal biasâ€? against Campbell and, for that reason, he shouldn’t be allowed to testify.
U.S. District Judge Richard story ruled he would allow Ichter to take the stand and Orr could ask him about the email. Defense attorney Jerry Froelich objected: “To allow this evidence in, I don’t think my client can get a fair trial.â€?
Story responded that he understood the objection and would keep it in mind and perhaps reconsider it later: “If I decide it’s a mistrial, I want a month vacation before we came back.â€?
Attorneys laughed - but not much.
After Ichter took the stand and testified about his email, Yates asked him why he had such an opinion of the mayor and the trial. His response for the first time during the five-week trial allowed the jury to hear about media coverage of the case.
Ichter said he had formed his opinon of the trial and Campbell from what he read in “the papers.â€? The defense objected. But Story allowed the lawyer to finish his answer, elaborating that he was a “citizen of the cityâ€? and “I hope that he is convicted because I am an officer of the court, and I think that’s the right outcome.â€?
Orr then asked if he believed that Campbell is presumed innocent until proven guilty by evidence introduced in his trial. The fellow attorney said yes, he did believe that. Then Ichter was dismissed as a witness.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
The focus stays on money and the former mayor
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Another major prosecution witness - Dan Debardelaben - is expected to testify today in the federal corruption trial of former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell.
Debardelaben, a former city contractor, once asked Campbell about doing business with the city, and Campbell allegedly replied: “What’s in it for me?â€? Assistant U.S. Attorney Sally Yates told jurors in opening statements.
Debardelaben would be the third witness in the trial to claim he gave a cash bribe directly to the mayor - in this case, $25,000, which Debardelaben allegedly dropped into the trunk of Campbell’s car, according to prosecutors.
Earlier in the trial, Dewey Clark said he gave Campbell cash on at least two occasions and witnessed the mayor taking bribes two other times. Another witness, Joseph Reid, testified last week that he gave the mayor cash campaign contributions more than once.
Prosecutors said they plan to wrap up their case on Friday. Campbell was indicted for racketeering, bribery, tax fraud.
Defense attorney Billy Martin asked U.S. District Judge Richard Story to set aside Monday so Campbell lawyers could argue the prosecution has not proved its case. The defense argument, which is standard legal procedure, is made after the prosecution finishes presenting its case.
If the case is not dismissed, Martin said the defense will call its first witness Tuesday.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Contractor: ‘It’s like winning the lottery’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Under cross-examination today, former contractor C.R. “Ronnie� Thornton insisted he was telling the truth when he testified he made illegal campaign contributions to former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell.
In exchange for the contributions, Thornton said he thought he was getting a lucrative contract to provide dirt for Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport’s fifth runway.
“It’s like winning the lottery and on the way to pick up the ticket they say Bill Campbell’s got the check,â€? Thornton told defense attorney W. Fred Orr II.
Thornton, testifying for the prosecution in Campbell’s federal corruption trial, said he thought the $360 million dirt contract was stolen from him by the former mayor and Campbell’s friends. After his campaign contributions, Thornton received $2 million for dirt he provided for the runway.
Thornton - a veteran law enforcement officer and a retired police chief - pleaded guilty in 2001 to violating federal banking laws to conceal more than $126,000 in illegal contributions to Campbell’s 1997 re-election campaign. He served two years probation and paid a $10,000 fine.
Defense attorney Orr hammered at Thornton about statements he made to federal prosecutors and FBI agents and how those statements differed from what he claimed on the stand Tuesday.
“Are you good at testifying,� asked Orr, referring to the many times Thornton has been called to the stand in earlier cases.
“I used to be,� said Rowe. “I have been questioned in every court and I have never been questioned about my integrity, or whether I was telling the truth.�
Thornton also told Orr he knew his activities were possibly illegal. “I knew that I was possibly committing a crime,” Thornton said when Orr asked about the illegal campaign contributions. “But I felt that I had no choice in that, if I was going to receive the help of the mayor.”
Thornton claimed that, while his company got part of the $360 million dirt deal, he and his company never made any money from it because of the interest and expenses of acquiring the land near the airport where he got the dirt.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Contractor says he was ordered to raise thousands for Campbell campaign
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A former city contractor testified today that Bill Campbell told him to raise $100,000 for Campbell’s mayoral re-election campaign if he wanted to do business with the city.
C.R. “Ronnieâ€? Thornton told jurors in Campbell’s federal corruption trial that the former mayor thanked him for thousands of dollars he had already contributed to Campbell’s 1997 campaign — through straw donors —- but wanted more as the election neared.
Thornton was trying to win favor with the mayor in hopes of getting a contract to provide dirt to build a fifth runway at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
“ ‘It was almost time to start the next phase of the campaign and I needed to get more than I had gotten before,’ � the contractor quoted the mayor as saying. “He made it very clear that without him, there was no project.�
Thornton said he told the mayor he was struggling to find contributors and asked if he could recycle a list of straw donors that he had previously used.
He said Campbell replied: “Yes. Just get the money together.�
Thornton said he scrambled to find available money from his businesses but fell short of the extra $100,000. The indictment against Campbell says he raised $86,000.
Thornton testified that Campbell’s campaign treasurer, attorney Steve Labovitz, later called him at his home and told him he would have to come up with “a fresh list of names.� Campbell later won in the runoff.
In December 1999, the city bought $2 million worth of dirt from Thornton as part of the airport expansion, but he was passed over for the bigger dirt contract.
Thornton, who is a veteran law enforcement officer and a retired police chief, pleaded guilty in 2001 to violating federal banking laws to conceal illegal contributions to Campbell’s 1997 re-election campaign.
Thornton was sentenced to serve two years probation and pay a $10,000 fine.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Dirt deal brought Campbell dirty money, feds say
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Over the past four weeks, more than 50 witnesses have testified in the federal corruption trial of former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell. Today — as the fifth week of testimony begins — the Campbell trial turns, literally, to dirt: expensive dirt for a new runway at the Atlanta airport. Other witnesses are expected to testify about cash bribes and computer contracts.
WHO IS EXPECTED TO TESTIFY: Contractor C.R. “Ronnie� Thornton
WHY IS HE IMPORTANT: In 1997, Thornton allegedly was trying to get a contract to provide dirt to build a fifth runway at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Prosecutors claim Thornton was told by Campbell that he had to raise $100,000 for Campbell’s 1997 runoff election. Thornton allegedly raised the money illegally. In December 1999, after Campbell won the runoff election, the city bought $2 million worth of dirt from Thornton. The dirt was used to level the ground needed for the fifth runway, which has not yet opened.
WHAT DEFENSE SAYS: Witnesses such as Thornton have deals with prosecutors and therefore their testimony is suspect.
WHO IS EXPECTED TO TESTIFY: Vendor Samuel Barber Jr., owner of American Computer Technology
WHY IS HE IMPORTANT: Barber joined Campbell’s campaign finance committee and funded illegal contributions because he wanted city business, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Sally Yates’ opening statement to the jury. After the election, he received a software contract with the city.
WHAT THE DEFENSE SAYS: “Sam Barber, when confronted by the FBI, said, ‘I never gave Bill Campbell a cent,’� defense attorney Billy Martin told jurors in his opening statement. Martin claims Barber “lied repeatedly� and agreed to testify only after the government told him: “We’ve got you. Now, give us the mayor.�
WHO IS EXPECTED TO TESTIFY: Vendor Dan DeBardelaben, owner of Concept 2000 Atlanta, a subcontractor to Barber’s company, American Computer Technology.
WHY IS HE IMPORTANT: DeBardelaben’s company and Barber’s company were given a Y2K computer contract, without a bid, after DeBardelaben told Campbell he wanted a computer deal with the city, prosecutor Yates said in her opening statement. During that meeting Campbell allegedly said: “What’s in it for me?� DeBardelaben allegedly responded: “Whatever it takes.� Months later, according to the government, DeBardelaben paid the mayor, Yates said. He went by the mayor’s home, and Campbell opened the trunk of his car and told DeBardelaben to drop in the $25,000 bribe, according to Yates. “DeBardelaben did as he was instructed,� the prosecutor said.
WHAT THE DEFENSE SAYS: DeBardelaben “is going to commit perjury here if he’s going to say what the government says he said,� defense attorney Jerry Froelich said in his opening statement.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
2nd ex-lover tells of gambling, other trips with Campbell
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The same month married former Atlanta mayor Bill Campbell took one girlfriend to Paris in July 1999, he took another one to Miami.
That was one revelation from the latest girlfriend, Martina Jimenez, to hit the witness stand in the federal corruption trial of the former mayor. Last week, TV newscaster, Marion Brooks testified about a 4-year affair with the mayor.
Jimenez, who was composed and matter-of-fact on the stand, said she met Campbell in September 1998 and continued to see him through the fall of 2001. Brooks testified that her affair with the mayor ran from 1996 to 1999.
Prosecutors brought Jimenez to the stand in the federal corruption trial of the former Atlanta mayor to talk about trips paid for in cash, gambling and gifts.
Jimenez, a 34-year-old Buckhead financial adviser, was on the stand for only 15 minutes. In questioning by Assistant U.S. Attorney Phyllis Sumner, the prosecutor never used the word “sexâ€? or “affair.â€? She referred to Jimenez’s three-year-long romance as a “personal relationship.â€?
Sumner went through a recitation of travel dates and cities with Jimenez almost as methodically as prosecutor Russell Vineyard went through campaign expenses with another witness earlier in the day.
Jimenez said she “seldomlyâ€? traveled with Campbell, but met him in cities all over the country — New York, Miami, Savannah, New Orleans, Washington, D.C. — and at gambling casinos in Mississippi.
One trip that stood out was a Miami meeting in July 1999. That same month the mayor went to Paris with Brooks and spent much of four days touring the city, her taking photos of him on the street and in front of famous landmarks.
Prosecutors allege that city contractor United Water paid about $12,000 for that trip which ostensibly was for business so that the mayor could visit the facilities of the French company that owns United.
Prosecutors say Campbell ran the city as a criminal enterprise and squeezed contractors, including gambling buddy Rickey Rowe, for cash in exchange for lucrative city contracts.
Jimenez testified that on one trip to Tunica she and Campbell were joined by Rowe and another city contractor, Fred Prewitt. During that trip, she said she watched the mayor gamble for a while at a black jack table where she said he spent “a few hours.�
Jimenez said she didn’t know how Campbell acquired his gambling chips and she didn’t know if he won or lost. “We didn’t discuss gambling,â€? she said. She also testified that Campbell never discussed how he made money.
She said the mayor bought her gifts - a watch, “a lot of flowers,� and a Mount Blanc pen.
Campbell also helped Jimenez land a newly-created job public relations job in 2001 with the Atlanta Development Authority, which Campbell chaired.
Campbell’s wife Sharon, who has been in the courtroom most days, was absent during Brooks’ and Jimenez’s testimony.
Campbell, on trial for racketeering, bribery and tax fraud, insists he is innocent and blames his underlings for any corruption at City Hall.
Prosecutors said they brought Brooks to the stand last week to provide testimony about Campbell’s cash spending habits, but the aura of their affair added sensation to a trial that at times has been tedious. The case was the same with Jimenez’s testimony, which has been anticipated for a week.
Defense attorney Billy Martin asked one question of Jimenez on cross-examination. Did she have any personal knowledge of Campbell taking bribes. She said: “No.�
Martin then said: “I’m sorry the government brought you here. I’m sorry to meet you under these circumstances.â€? The attorney shook his head as he returned to the defense table. Judge Richard Story dismissed Jimenez, and ended trial for the day.
As Jimenez headed toward the front doors of the courthouse to leave, she peered around the corner looking for TV reporters and told her attorney, Seth Kirschenbaum: “Seth, I don’t want to go out that way.�
Her attorney reassured her: “I think it’s OK. I don’t see any cameras.�
Testimony in the trial continues Tuesday.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Atlanta auditor says mayor’s friend got no-bid contract
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta’s internal auditor, another witness defense attorneys tried to block, testified today that one of Bill Campbell’s cronies landed a multimillion-dollar contract without facing competing bidders.
The Stanton Park project took nearly six years to complete and ended up costing the city $2 million more than expected, Leslie Ward testified at Campbell’s federal racketeering trial.
Ward testified that the City Council wanted an audit of the project in 2001, after the cost kept rising. Contaminated dirt had to be removed from a 7.7-acre city park built on a landfill. The park was closed in January 1999 after a child caught fire when she slid down a slide and the friction ignited methane gas rising from the ground.
Ward said there was no documentation to show how the company, R&D Testing and Drilling, got the project and no evidence the firm had experience on this type of project. The company was owned by Rickey Rowe, a close friend and major campaign supporter of former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell, prosecutors said.
“They subcontracted almost all of the work,� Ward said of Rowe’s company.
Campbell had signed off on the project.
Campbell has consistently maintained his innocence through the trial and blamed underlings for any corruption at City Hall.
Prosecutors say he ran the city as a criminal enterprise and squeezed contractors, including Rowe, for cash in exchange for lucrative city contracts.
Ward said the audit showed that another company with more experience had sent a $6.1 million proposal for the Stanton Park project and included bonding to insure the cost would not rise.
Instead, she said R&D got the project, without the insurance, and the price rose to $8.8 million.
“They did not finish all the work and they did not pay all of the subcontractors,� she testified. “It put the city at risk – a financial risk.�
The city ended up paying $1 million to two of the subcontractors and Rowe’s company still ended up with $7.6 million, she said. Rowe has since died.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
2nd alleged ex-girlfriend set to appear
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Six witnesses are headed to the stand today in the federal corruption trial of former Atlanta mayor Bill Campbell. One - Martina Jimenez - is the greatest source of buzz outside the courtroom.
Jimenez, a 34-year-old Buckhead financial adviser, allegedly had an affair with Campbell. She would be the second woman in the trial to testify she was the married mayor’s girlfriend.
Last week, another former Campbell girlfriend, former WSB-TV reporter Marion Brooks, testified she had a 4-year-affair with the mayor, including a trip to Paris, which prosecutors claim was partially paid for by city contractor United Water.
Prosecutors said they put Brooks on the stand to testify about Campbell’s spending habits. She said Campbell paid for dozens their in cash. The prosecution maintains a lot of that cash is from bribes and illegal campaignn contributions.
Defense attorneys say Brooks was brought to the stand to damage Campbell’s credibility with the jury. It’s not clear what Jimenez will testify about.
Other witnesses today, include: Randy Ferguson, a city contractor; Theresa Griffith; Gary Thacker, a city contractor; Sam Cook, and Leslie Ward.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Gittens recalls Campbell’s contract orders
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Angela Gittens, the former general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, testified Thursday that Bill Campbell ordered her not to rebid an airport concessions contract some of his friends held with the city.
The prosecution in the former Atlanta mayor’s federal corruption trial is trying to prove that Campbell played favorites with city contractors who bribed him or donated to his political campaigns, legally or illegally.
Shortly after Gittens took the stand, her testimony was interrupted by objections from defense attorneys when the prosecution began asking her about other airport contracts.
With the jury out of the room, defense attorney Jerry Froelich told U. S. District Judge Richard Story that Gittens’ testimony was little more than “innuendoâ€? and had “thrown a skunk in the jury box.â€?
Froleich said prosecutors’ plans to ask Gittens about airport parking and advertising contracts were irrelevant to the case and not part of the indictment against Campbell.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sally Yates argued that Gittens’ testimony is central to the government’s case.
The prosecution is trying to show that contractors who supported Campbell, allegedly with bribes and campaign contributions, were rewarded with lucrative city contracts.
Yates said, however, the government did not contend airport parking and advertising contracts were illegal or that the mayor took bribes from people who got them. Instead, she said, the prosecution wanted Gittens to testify about Campbell’s involvement with city contracts.
“We have to be able to show that he [Campbell] reaches into the contract process to reward people,â€? Yates said.
Judge Story ruled that Gittens could not talk about the parking contracts but could testify about advertising contracts with the city.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Defense tries to block more testimony
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Defense attorneys for former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell tried today to block government witnesses from testifying, including Angela Gittens, the former general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
Gittens took the witness stand shortly before noon.
The prosecution is trying to connect Campbell directly to taking bribes and illegal campaign contributions from city contractors at a time when the government claims the former mayor was running what essentially was essentially a criminal enterprise in City Hall.
Gittens’ testimony may help back up government allegations that developer Ronnie Thornton and Campbell were linked in illicit activities. Government prosecutors say Campbell put pressure on Gittens to give Thornton a no-bid contract, worth $107 million, to supply 20 million cubic yards of dirt to built a fifth runway at the airport.
The indictment against the former mayor claims Thornton gave Campbell illegal campaign contributions in 1997 and was rewarded a month later with a $2 million emergency contract to begin work at the airport.
Gittens’ airport management contact was not renewed by Campbell in May 1998.
In addition to Gittens, prosecutors have lined up witnesses to tell about what prosecutors call a cozy relationship between the mayor and another city contractor Ricky Rowe, who is now dead. Lead defense attorney Billy Martin argued that prosecutors are going “too far afield of the indictment� in calling the witnesses.
Defense attorney Jerry Froelich told U.S. District Judge Richard Story, “They seemed to be throwing everything against the wall to see what sticks.�
Story said he will allow the witnesses to take the stand, but may decide this afternoon to restrict some testimony.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Ex-airport chief may testify about dirt contract
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The prosecution keeps trying to connect former Atlanta mayor Bill Campbell directly to bribes from city contractors, and illegal campaign contributions, while, at the same time, giving greater detail about his control over what they claim was essentially a criminal enterprise in City Hall during his time in office.
The key witness today, as the trial approaches the end of the fourth week, could be Angela Gittens, the former general manager of Atlanta airport who ran afoul of Campbell over a dirt deal.
The mayor reportedly put pressure on Gittens to give developer Ronnie Thornton a no-bid contract, worth $107 million, to supply 20 million cubic yards of dirt to built a fifth runway at the airport.
In the federal indictment, prosecutors claim Thornton made illegal campaign contributions to Campbell in 1997 and was rewarded one month later with a $2 million emergency contract to begin the work at the airport. Gittens — whose contact was not renewed by Campbell in May 1998 — has said little publicly about her disputes with the former mayor.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Witness: Campbell got illegal contributions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With witness Joseph Reid on the stand, prosecutors sought today to show that illegal campaign contributions were given directly to former Atlanta mayor Bill Campbell and that Campbell handled illegal checks that were contributed to his 1998 run-off election. Those checks were written in the names of Campbell family members.
Reid was the deputy chief operating officer of the city at the time and reported to former Chief Operating Officer Larry Wallace, who has since been convicted of taking bribes.
Reid was convicted of corruption and served two years in prison. He is testifying as part of a plea deal with the federal government.
Reid’s testimony contradicts Campbell’s defense team’s claim earlier in the trial that Campbell was not aware that illegal contributions were given to his campaign in checks that were written with the names of five members of his family.
Reid also testified that on more than one occasion he gave cash contributions to Campbell’s campaign directly to the mayor. Reid is also only the second witness to testify he gave cash to the mayor. Earlier witness Dewey Clark, the mayor’s former special assistant, testified he gave Campbell cash from contractors on several occasions. He said cash was passed on to the mayor in the mayor’s City Hall office and in the bathroom of a Mississippi casino.
Reid was asked by assistant prosecuting attorney Phyllis Sumner why he gave checks and cash to the mayor, and he said Wallace told him Reid would “get credit for the money you raise.�
Reid testified that the money for the campaign contributions was raised illegally. The scheme worked this way: Spectronics, a city contractor, gave Reid and Wallace the money, and Reid and Wallace would draw up a list of names and write checks to the campaigns in those names.
The campaign contributions were disguised as $1,000 and $2,000 checks written in the names of Spectronics employees, and Campbell family members and others.
The defense has maintained that Campbell was not aware of the illegal fund-raising. Reid’s testimony seemed to contradict that contention. He said that he came up with the idea of using Campbell family members on the checks after talking to Wallace. He testified that Spectronics told him it had the money for more contributions, but he needed new names to put on the checks.
Campaign law makes it illegal for an individual to contribute more than $2,000.
Reid testified that he asked Wallace for more names. “He [Wallace] told me he would find the names,� testified Reid.
Prosecutor Sumner asked Reid if Wallace gave him the names at that moment. Reid testified Wallace did not give him the names, but Wallace gave him Campbell’s family member’s names either the next day or a few days later.
The impression Sumner was trying to leave with the jury was that Wallace consulted with Campbell before Wallace provided Campbell’s family names to be put on the checks. Reid, however, did not testify that Wallace asked Campbell for his family names.
Reid did testify, however, that when he got the checks back from Spectronics with the Campbell family member’s names on them, he gave those checks to Campbell. He said he was not sure if Campbell looked at the checks. He gave them to Campbell in an envelope.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Another aide expected to talk about bribe money path
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Prosecutors said Tuesday they weren’t sure whether strip club owner Michael Childs would testify in the federal corruption trial against former Atlanta mayor Bill Campbell, but at least two witness are expected today:
Joseph Reid, the former deputy chief operating officer of the city, and Vertis McManus Jr., who headed the telelecommunications company Spectronics Inc., a contractor with the city.
In 2001 Reid pleaded guilty to corruption charges for accepting a $19,500 bribe from McManus.
Prosecutors wanted McManus and Reid on the stand in part to testify about a bribe allegedly passed to former city Chief Operating Officer Larry Wallace and then to Campbell, but Judge Richard Story ruled Tuesday afternoon he would not allow McManus and Reid to be questioned about the alleged bribe.
Childs is the witness anticipated since the opening of the trial three and one-half weeks ago. Prosecutors contend Childs gave Campbell $50,000 in bribes through Campbell buddy and personal assistant, Dewey Clark. Clark has testified he once gave Campbell $5,000 of Childs’ money while Clark and Campbell were in the restroom of the mayor’s office.
It’s not clear when another of Campbell’s alleged girlfriends, Buckhead financial adviser Martina Jimenez, 34, will testify.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Witnesses fail to make Campbell connection
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There was more testimony Tuesday about lewd body positions of strippers, machine guns and arson than about any evidence directly linking former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell to bribes.
Once again, government witnesses testified that thousands of dollars in bribes were passed directly to mayoral aide Dewey Clark – not to the mayor himself.
As prosecutors began their fourth week of testimony, Clark is the only witness who has testified that he passed cash bribes from city contractors to the mayor’s hands. Prosecutors say Clark was a key bagman who squeezed city contractors on behalf of Campbell and passed the cash to the mayor for use on exotic trips with girlfriends and gambling jaunts with buddies.
Clark testified that he also passed money from Atlanta strip club owner Michael Childs, who wanted the mayor to approve a liquor license for a controversial new club, Strawberries.
Campbell insists he is innocent and his defense team has portrayed Clark as a greedy wannabe who used the mayor’s name to line his own pockets.
And they were anxious to tear into Childs, an admitted arsonist and convicted felon who was caught by the FBI plotting to beat up Campbell after the mayor didn’t approve the liquor license.
But prosecutors opted to bring in Childs’ former attorney, Alan Begner, who testified that Childs told him he passed a bribe to the mayor.
“Childs said he was giving money to the mayor through Dewey,� Begner said.
Begner acknowledged that he didn’t know if the money ever made it to the mayor, while under cross-examination by lead defense attorney Billy Martin.
In other testimony, the former owner of city contractor Sable Communications, George Greene, testified he paid Campbell $5,000 for a 30-minute speech, after Clark told Green that mayor needed money.
Greene testified that on another occasion he gave Clark $750 to give to the mayor because Campbell said he needed the money to pay airfare to bring one of the mayor’s girlfriends into town.
He said he later asked Campbell in the mayor’s office: “Did he get my package that Dewey Clark picked up?â€?
Greene testified Campbell “looked at me kind of annoyed� and said: “Next time that happens, you call.�
Greene said he concluded from Campbell’s comment that it was “OK at that point to give the mayor money.â€? He said the reason he asked the mayor about the package was because “I didn’t want him [Clark] to be coming by my office getting money for the mayor under false pretenses.â€?
Greene testified that he entered a plea agreement in June 2000 with prosecutors in exchange for his testimony and that he has pleaded guilty to making payments to Michael Hightower, former Fulton County Comissioner.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Club 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.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Testimony cites undisclosed speaking fees
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell didn’t initially disclose thousands of dollars he collected from city contractors for speaking engagements, a city clerk testified today.
Campbell later amended his campaign disclosure forms to include a $5,000 speaking fee he received from Sable Communication in 1996 and $10,000 from Oracle Corp. in 1998, Atlanta Municipal Clerk Rhonda Dauphin Johnson testified.
Johnson was first government witness called to the stand today. The order of witness appearances has been revised, with earlier witnesses who had been expected to take the stand being replaced by others.
Campbell, 52, maintains his innocence of federal charges of racketeering, bribery and income tax evasion.
During Campbell’s public corruption trial, his former aide, Dewey Clark testified that the mayor got $5,000 for a brief speech to Sable’s former chief executive, George Greene, and about a dozen of Green’s employees and relatives. During the speech, Campbell said he rewarded loyalty and punished his enemies and would “even drive up on the sidewalk to get them,” Clark testified.
Oracle, a software company with a city contract, paid Campbell $10,000 for a speech in 1998. In 1999, Oracle won a city contract with the potential to eventually earn the company $4.5 million.
Campbell made changes to his financial disclosure forms in 2000 – after the FBI began investigating allegations of corruption at City Hall.
During testimony today, prosecutors also pointed to another omission campaign disclosure forms. Under benefits and gratuities, Campbell listed free tickets to Braves, Falcons and Hawks games and events at Chastain Park and the Civic Center, Johnson testified today as prosecutors showed jurors several enlarged copies of the mayor’s campaign and financial disclosure forms. But the mayor didn’t list $12,000 a city contractor, United Water, paid for what prosecutors say was a romantic getaway for Campbell and a mistress, Marion Brooks.
Prosecutors say Campbell also didn’t list chartered flights to New York and Las Vegas that were paid by a businessman. City contractor Robert Crowder testified last week how he spent thousands of dollars chartering planes for then-Mayor Bill Campbell to gain a business edge.
Crowder, chief executive of construction company Brencor Inc, told jurors he paid $29,000 in 1999 for a jet to fly Campbell to New York and Las Vegas, with a limousine on hand. Defense attorney Jerry Froelich pointed out that the mayor took Crowder to Chops restaurant as a “thank you� and invited Crowder and his wife to sit at a table with Campbell during a Nancy Wilson concert at Chastain Park.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Prosecutors to call ex-trusted aide
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A former Atlanta city official is expected to testify today against former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell in his federal corruption trial, but defense attorneys several months ago got a head start attacking his credibility.
Campbell’s attorneys went public last fall to reveal that government witness DeWayne Martin admitted in 2002 that he had taken bribes while at City Hall.
Martin, formerly Campbell’s chief of staff and briefly chief operating officer, has been cooperating in the investigation since July 2002, according to a statement he gave the FBI. The statement does not mention whether Martin accepted payoffs on Campbell’s behalf. Defense attorneys released the document to reporters last year.
Martin resigned from his job at an Atlanta law firm.
Once a trusted associate of Campbell’s, Martin worked for eight years with the mayor’s office. During the final weeks of the Campbell administration in November 2001, Martin got involved in negotiations between the city and United Water, which was seeking an $80 million increase in its contract to run the city’s water system.
When then Atlanta Water Commissioner Remedios del Rosario refused to sign off on the increase, Martin called her into his office, she said in a 2002 interview.
“The mayor wants you to sign these documents now,” del Rosario said Martin told her. In the interview, del Rosario said she refused.
Martin has said he, too, was under pressure at the time from Campbell to settle things with United Water. “I felt like I was caught in the middle,” Martin said in another 2002 interview.
Campbell’s signature ended up on documents granting United Water the requested $80 million hike. The documents were discovered months later after Mayor Shirley Franklin took office, triggering an uproar. The city eventually dropped United Water.
During the trial, prosecutors wanted to show jurors newspaper articles that quoted Campbell vehemently denying ever “knowingly” signing the documents giving United Water the $80 million. Defense attorneys objected, and the judge decided not to allow prosecutors to show jurors the articles.
Campbell’s team is now denying the mayor ever signed the documents, and they’re expected to argue today that Martin forged Campbell’s signature.
Despite defense objections, the judge is allowing prosecutors to bring in a handwriting expert, who is also expected to testify today.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Campbell’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.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
No court today; trial resumes Monday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Witness: Contractor paid for romantic trips
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The testimony Wednesday from former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell’s former girlfriend, TV reporter Marion Brooks, gave way Thursday to details from prosecution witness about who paid for the couple’s Paris trip, and why.
Prosecutors in Campbell’s federal corruption trial claim a city contractor, United Water, paid for what was a $12,000 romantic getaway for the couple.
Campbell’s defense team argues the trip was business, so Campbell could visit the parent company’s French facilities.
Thursday, prosecutors called witnesses to hint at wider corruption in the United Water deal.
Assistant U.S. attorney Russell Vineyard asked former United Water President David Sherman about a meeting in October 2001 between him, Campbell and Bob Carr, who worked for United Water.
The company wanted the city to increase its $21.5 million annual contract and needed Campbell’s help, Sherman testified. At the meeting, Sherman said, he and the mayor discussed how to get contract changes.
After Carr and Campbell briefly left the meeting, then returned, Vineyard asked Sherman if he was “encouraged.� Sherman testified that he was.
On cross examination, Campbell attorney Fred Orr asked Sherman if Campbell had ever taken a bribe from him or United Water, or had even suggested taking a bribe in all Sherman’s dealings with the mayor.
“No sir,� said Sherman.
Prosecution witness Charles Johnson, a minority partner with United Water, testified that Campbell signed seven additions to the United Water contract - worth about $80 million over the life of the contract - only a few days before he left office in December 2001.
The defense successfully fought to keep out a tape recording of a phone message to Johnson. According to prosecutors, in the phone message from city hall employee Orlando McGee, McGee told Johnson that Campbell had signed the agreements.
The defense argued that McGee has told the FBI that he didn’t remember leaving the message on Johnson’s answering machine.
“Mr. McGee is over at City Hall,� argued Fred Orr, with the jury out of the room. “Why doesn’t the government call him to testify?�
In morning testimony, city Contractor Robert Crowder testified how he spent thousands of dollars chartering planes for Campbell. Crowder, chief executive of construction company Bencor Inc., told jurors that he paid $10,000 in March, 1999, to rent a jet to fly Campbell to New York to see a boxing match.
“We were doing business in the city of Atlanta,� Crowder explained as his reason for providing the plane for Campbell and his buddies to fly to the fight. “We wanted to strengthen those relationships.� Another time, Crowder testified his business spent $19,000 to fly the mayor to Los Vegas. Defense attorney Jerry Froelich pointed out that the mayor took Crowder to Chops restaurant as a thank you and invited Crowder and his wife to sit at a table with Campbell during a Nancy Wilson Concert at Chastain Park.
Crowder acknowledged he had been told: “The mayor would like to accept your invitation provided you understand you will get no favorable treatment, to expect nothing in return.�
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Exec says he rented jets for Campbell
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
City contractor Robert Crowder testified today that he spent thousands of dollars chartering planes for then-Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell to gain a business edge.
Crowder, chief executive of construction company Brencor Inc, told jurors he paid $10,000 in March 1999, to rent a jet to fly Campbell to New York to see a boxing match. The plane rental fee was by the hour and Campbell, who unexpectedly brought along his gambling buddies, made a surprise detour to Atlantic City, Crowder testified.
“We were doing business in the city of Atlanta,� said Crowder, whose business was based in Nashville before moving to Atlanta. “We wanted to strengthen those relationships.�
Brencor refurbishes low and moderate-income housing and has gotten millions of dollars in low-interest loans from the Urban Residential Finance Authority, which Campbell chaired.
Crowder said he also paid to charter a second jet for the mayor and his cronies in November, 1999, to fly to Las Vegas – with a limousine waiting to pick them up. He said this business expense topped $19,000.
Defense attorney Jerry Froelich pointed out that the mayor took Crowder to Chops restaurant as a “thank you� and invited Crowder and his wife to sit at a table with Campbell during a Nancy Wilson concert at Chastain Park.
Crowder also acknowledged he had been told: “The mayor would like to accept your invitation provided you understand you will get no favorable treatment — to expect nothing in return.â€?
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Free trips to come up today at trial
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Prosecutors are expected to call a witness today who can discuss free rides former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell took on a private jet chartered by a city contractor.
The witness is Brencor Inc. Chief Executive Robert Crowder, who chartered the planes.
Prosecutors allege that Campbell took free trips to New York and Las Vegas on a private jet chartered by Brencor, an Atlanta construction company.
Brencor refurbishes low- and moderate-income housing and has gotten millions of dollars in low-interest loans from the Urban Residential Finance Authority, which Campbell chaired.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
TV anchor tells of lavish trips with Campbell
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
TV anchor Marion Brooks testified Wednesday about a four-year-long affair with a married Bill Campbell, about exotic and romantic getaways, and how he paid for it all with cash.
Their travelogue included stops in San Francisco, Paris, Mexico, Jamaica and culminated in a trip to Paris.
Brooks, a former reporter and anchor at WSB-TV in Atlanta and now in Chicago, was on the stand for 40 minutes, and looked at everybody in the courtroom except Campbell, whose wife, Sharon, was absent from the courtroom where she has been almost every day. Campbell looked her direction but their eyes never appeared to meet.
She testified she met Campbell at a 1996 birthday party for Tom Houck, an Atlanta gadfly and friend of the former mayor’s. While she worked in the city she said they met “probably a couple of times a week,” sometimes at her apartment, frequently on out of town trips.
She talked about how Campbell’s personal assistant, Dewey Clark, often arranged hotel accommodations. She testified Campbell loaned her $16,000 in cash to make a down payment on a Chicago apartment, where she moved in December 1997.
They continued their affair long-distance, she said. She testified Campbell told her “he borrowed the [$16,000] from Gabe Pascarella.” She said she paid back the money to Pascarella, who is a Campbell friend who made travel arrangements for Campbell and was a regular in their Friday night poker games.
Brooks did not testify to witnessing any bribes.
In one of the more unusual twists in the trial that, at times has been bogged down in legal wrangling and bookkeeping procedures, prosecutors showed pictures taken of a July 1999 trip taken by Brooks and Campbell to Paris, where, for the first four days they stayed at the Bristol Hotel.
“Very nice, top of the line,” said Brooks.
In the photos Campbell is seen standing in front of the Palace at Versailles, and the Arch de Triomph, with Larry Wallace, the city’s chief operating officer, who was also along on the trip.
She also testified that Campbell bought her gifts, including bracelets, a necklace, and water color paintings in Paris.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
FBI: Friend netted nearly $343,000 from companies
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Judge Richard Story, dealing the prosecution a blow, ruled that jurors could not watch a TV news clip in which former Atlanta mayor Bill Campbell talked about Fred Prewitt, a close friends who is alleged to have given Campbell thousands of dollars in bribes.
In the clip, which aired on Fox Atlanta affiliate WAGA, Campbell said “I know virtually nothing about Mr. Prewitt’s business life.”
Story said allowing jurors to watch the short clip out of context would prejudice the jury in the trial which today entered its 11th day and heard its 30th witness, FBI agent Mike Grant, who testified about Prewitt’s cash expenditures and bank records.
Grant testified that Prewitt had large amounts of cash at his disposal and when government investigators went to interview him in March 2000, he allowed them to search the trunk of his car, where they found $167,000 in cashiers checks.
Between 1996 and January 2000, according to bank records, Prewitt generated $342,929 in cash from companies that did business either directly or indirectly with the city, Grant testified. Prosecutors then tried to tighten the knot on their case, combining bank records with previous testimony to show that Campbell took three gambling trips to Tunica, Miss., after Prewitt had solicited cash from contractors.
Grant testifed about Prewitt’s credit card records showing that Prewitt paid for air fair and hotel accommodations for Campbell on at least 11 trips.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Attorneys squabble over evidence issues
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A juror was late today in the federal corruption trial of former mayor Atlanta Bill Campbell, so attorneys for both sides spent the morning squabbling over evidence without the jury.
Defense attorneys wanted to block an FBI agent from testifying about Campbell crony Fred Prewitt’s bank records. Previous witnesses have testified that Prewitt served as a middleman to funnel bribes from city contractors to the mayor.
“The government appears to have built a very strong case of bribery — against Fred Prewittâ€? not Campbell, lead defense attorney Billy Martin told the judge. “This case is about Fred Prewitt.â€?
Not so, according to federal prosecutor Phyllis Sumner.
“The way this enterprise worked was through a few select middlemen,� she told the judge.
She said the defense is trying to block circumstantial evidence that should be allowed in a racketeering case.
The judge decided to allow FBI Special Agent Mike Grant to testify, but he has reserved ruling on another issue. Defense attorneys also want to block a videotape showing a portion of a 2000 newscast where Campbell spoke about Prewitt after Prewitt was indicted.
The tape was played for the judge, without jurors present. “I know virtually nothing about Mr. Prewitt’s business life,� Campbell told a WAGA reporter.
Campbell said Prewitt, who he appointed to head the city’s Civil Service Board, had done a lot to serve the community.
“It’s totally improper,� defense attorney Fred Orr said. “It’s incomplete.�
U.S. District Court Judge Richard Story has not ruled yet on the tape. He did caution: “This is what happens when you try your case to the media.�
Despite previous warnings from the judge, Campbell has continued to speak publicly about the case and has talked briefly to reporters every day after court.
The judge said he fears that will create more problems as the trial progresses.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
News anchor to tell of relationship with Campbell
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
She’s younger, attractive and successful and when she takes the witness stand, possibly as early as Wednesday, all eyes will be on her.
Not just because Marion Brooks is a TV news personality, but because she is expected to describe her long-term relationship with former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell during his public corruption trial.
Brooks, 39, was an anchor and reporter at ABC-affiliate WSB-TV when Campbell, was mayor — and married. The two went on several trips, including a getaway in Paris.
The trip to France is at issue in Campbell’s federal trial because he is accused of taking payoffs, including the trip to Paris, from city contractors. Brooks has turned over records of her bank account to federal prosecutors in Atlanta.
She and Campbell initially continued to see one another after she moved to Chicago in late 1997.
Brooks now anchors the 4:30 and 5 p.m. weekday newscasts on NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5. She married Florida lawyer Ruye Hawkins last year and is now pregnant and dreading rehashing her past relationship with Campbell, according to one of her friends.
During the trial’s opening statements, defense attorney Fred Orr told jurors: “What may have happened between Bill Campbell and another woman is between Mr. Campbell and Mrs. Campbell, his wife of 28 years.â€?
However, prosecutors told jurors that Campbell had relationships with several women.
Along with Brooks, an FBI agent and a United Water official are on the witness list for Wednesday. Prosecutors claim United Water paid for the Paris trip. The company had a 20-year contract to operate Atlanta’s water system. Prosecutors say Campbell later signed documents giving United Water an $80 million increase in the contract.
The judge called off court for today after the defense team made the request so Campbell could attend Coretta Scott King’s funeral.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Campbell case reaches to Memphis mayor
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While prosecutors continued Monday to try to strengthen links between a city contractor and bribes allegedly paid to former mayor Bill Campbell, outside the courtroom, reverberations of the trial reached Memphis, where mayor Willie Herenton called an afternoon press conference to respond to reports he has been subpoened as a witness.
Last week, Dewey Clark, one of the key government witnesses and a close friend of Campbell who lived in a basement apartment at his Inman Park home, testified, “I gave the mayor [Herenton] $9,000 in cash in his [Memphis] office.�
Prosecutors called Herenton’s office manager, Suzette King, to the stand Monday to question her about her calendar record of times that Campbell met Herenton in Memphis. Defense attorneys objected, and she never testified. She may be recalled to the stand.
Herenton’s spokeswoman Gale Jones Carson said Monday that Herenton was subpoened last Wednesday, Feb. 1, to appear as a witnesss, but that was the first time Herenton was aware he would be asked to appear.
“He has not talked to the FBI period,� she said. “They have never contacted him.� The mayor declined to be interviewed.
Carson issued a statement saying: “Any allegations against Mayor Willie Herenton regarding former Mayor Bill Campbell will be addressed with the media after he testifies later this month.� Carson added he did not know exactly when Herenten is scheduled to testify or what he will testify about.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Campbell crony paid thousands, two testify
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Two witnesses in the federal corruption trial of Bill Campbell testified Monday that thousands of dollars were paid to Bill Campbell’s friend Fred Prewitt by contractors hoping to do business with the city.
Steve Apolinsky, a former law partner with Bill Campbell, was the first witness as the federal corruption trial of the former Atlanta mayor opened its third week. Prosecutors are trying to flesh out for jurors the connections between Campbell and Prewitt, a city contractor, and bribes and kickbacks.
Apolinsky testified that he was on the finance committee for Campbell’s re-election campaign in 1997, and later worked as a consultant for Atlanta Water Corp. which was bidding for the city contract to privatize Atlanta’s water system.
Atlanta Water Corp. hired Prewitt as a consultant in its bidding process.
Apolinsky testified that Atlanta Water Corp. wrote checks to Prewitt worth more than $30,000. He also testified that in July 1998, Prewitt asked him for $2,500 for a trip Prewitt and Campbell were “making to Memphis for a speaking engagement and gambling.”
On cross examination, Apolinsky, said he had no knowledge of that money being delivered to Campbell or other cash or bribes given to Campbell.
The second witness of the day, John Stege, was an engineer who managed Harbert Construction Company’s negotiations and contract dealings with Atlanta. Stege has a plea deal with the government, agreeing to testify in exchange for not being prosecuted for kickbacks he testified he took from a city contractor.
He testified that Prewitt’s company, FBP Construction, had no employees other than Prewitt, no construction equipment and no office, and Prewitt operated out of space owned by Harbert.
He testified about thousands of dollars in checks written by Harbert to FPB construction for several water projects that Harbert was involved in. He also testified about hundreds of dollars in cash given to Prewitt for various events hosted by mayor Campbell.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Testimony resumes today
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The third week of the federal corruption trial against former Atlanta mayor Bill Campbell reopens today with prosecutors trying to build on testimony from three witnesses that have connected Campbell to thousands in bribes from city contractors, and a stripclub owner.
Campbell is facing charges on racketeering, accepting bribes and tax evasion.
The trial has been a mixture of high drama and tedium, as a rogues gallery of Campbell cronies (Michael Sullivan, Dewey Clark, Bert Timmerman) have taken the stand, interrupted by dickering between attorneys over procedure, then testimony about bank records.
Prosecutors believe the case, will take between six and eight weeks. Judge Richard Story has been hard-pressed to keep proceedings moving. One day 13 members of the jury were stranded on an elevator. Twice last week spectators were ejected for interrupting court.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
FBI recording seeks to link Campbell to payoffs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As part of a $4.4 million contract with the city of Atlanta, Eco-Tech kicked back $400,000 to a close friend of then-mayor Bill Campbell, Eco-Tech’s head Bert Timmerman testified today.
Prewitt and the mayor had a very “close personal relationship,â€? Timmerman said, and Prewitt told him “he [Prewitt] needed funds to keep up his relationship with the mayor and the mayor’s office.â€?
Timmereman testified he was channeling money from his contracts back to Fred Prewitt who then passed it to the mayor.
This afternoon, the prosecution played an FBI tape recording of a Dec. 20, 1999, phone conversation between Timmerman and Prewitt about the kickback and the contract to provide filtration equipment for the city’s Hemphill Water Plant.
In the phone call, which Timmerman said was prompted by the FBI, he attempts to lure Prewitt into naming Campbell when referring to the $400,000. In earlier testimony, Timmerman said in conversations with Prewitt regarding the mayor he typically referred to Campbell as “the man� or “him.�
This exchange, played before the jury, is the closest the tape comes to implicating Campbell. Timmerman has told Prewitt he is strapped for cash and can’t give Prewitt any more money at the moment. He has already paid him the $400,000 for helping him obtain the $4.4 million water contract, he testified.
The reference to a “doctor bill� in the conversation, is about the $80,000 Timmerman testified that he gave Prewitt to pay for his medical expenses.
The defense successfully kept the prosecution from giving a more thorough explanation of what was happening in the phone call, including the meaning of the code language and veiled references such as the money “went the other way.”
Bert Timmerman: “Uh, and, and, and the four hu… the four hundred thousand we paid to you sort of, it sort of took my profit away. Uh, so, maybe you can get by on that for a while.�
Fred Prewitt: “And that went the other way, but yeah. Uh, and I was on the phone with him [Campbell] just, just then. Uh, he’s going up to Memphis around the time we’re going.â€?
Bert Timmerman: “Uh huh.�
Campbell was scheduled to go to Memphis, while Timmerman and Prewitt were traveling there to see about doing business with that city.
Fred Prewitt: “Um, I think our meeting [with Memphis officials] is on the 13th, isn’t it?”
Bert Timmerman: “Yeah. Yeah. We got a meeting.”
Fred Prewitt: “Yeah.”
Bert Timmerman: “…uh, I guess on the 13th. Hope, hopefully I can get some cash, cash by then, but um…â€?
Fred Prewitt: “Yeah, uh…”
Bert Timmerman: “Well, you know, may… well, did you, did you have to put all that the, the, the other way or, or do you have enough to, to live on for a little while?â€?
Fred Prewitt: “No, that’s what I did and…’cause I had promised him, you know, and (inaudible) I tell you,, I’d get dug out so much about it. Uh, I had promised, uh, I would do it that way. Uh, but, uh, you know I, I took care of my doctor bill. That’s, that off of me. I got a letter from him that everything is paid. Uh…”
Bert Timmerman: “Yeah, that’s the eighty we gave you after that.â€?
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Businessman says he bribed Campbell officials
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Businessman Bert Timmerman testified today how he bribed Atlanta officials when Bill Campbell was mayor to secure contracts with the city.
Timmerman, owner of Eco-Tech, which supplies equipment for water and sewage treatment plants, said he paid thousands to Atlanta’s former water utility manager, Thodur Bavan.
“I paid Mr. Bavan as a bribe to get him to favor equipment I was selling,� Timmerman testified.
Timmerman said he also bribed one of Campbell’s close friends, Fred Prewitt, who chaired the city’s Civil Service Board. And he gave $4,000 to the mayor’s campaign in 1996.
Timmerman secured a multi-million dollar contract to supply valves and pumps for the Hemphill Water Treatment Plant.
The businessman said he was reluctant to tell federal investigators information against Bavan and Prewitt, whom he considered friends.
“I wrestled with whether to do this,� he said.
In an unrelated case, Timmerman pleaded guilty in 1999 to bid rigging, paying a competitor $5,000 not to bid against him for a contract to supply equipment to a Cherokee County water plant. He served five years on probation and had to pay $200,000 in fines and $90,000 in restitution.
After he was sentenced, Timmerman said he decided to tell federal investigators what he knew about the Atlanta bribes so he could start anew.
He testimony is still underway and the prosecution was planning to play a wiretap recording this afternoon between Timmerman and Prewitt.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Defense: Aide took, kept payoffs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bill Campbell defense attorney Billy Martin chipped away at the prosecution’s bank evidence during cross examination today. Martin questioned IRS agent Bill Salinski about how thorough bank records are in determining how much cash Dewey Clark had at his disposal.
The defense claims that Clark, who testified this week that he collected thousands of dollars in cash bribes from strip club owner Michael Childs and city contractor George Greene and passed them to Campbell, did not give the money to Campbell, but kept it to himself.
At one point Martin asked Salinski about Clark’s 1997 bank records that indicated he spent $63.87 for groceries at Piggly Wiggley and $129 for dry cleaning in an entire year. Didn’t Salinski think, asked Martin, that Clark probably spent more than those figures for dry cleaning and groceries in an entire year.
Salinski said: “He probably did, but he had available cash to do it.”
To which Martin responded: “And one of the issues of this case is how much available cash he did have, isn’t it?” said Martin.
“Yes,” said Salinkski.
Martin concluded his cross:
“You are not able to tell the exact amount of cash he either skimmed or collected from Michael Childs and George Greene, are you?” Martin asked the IRS investigator.
“I don’t know exactly,” testified Salinsky.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Judge denies 2nd request for mistrial
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The judge in the federal corruption trial of former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell denied a second request from the defense for a mistrial.
The attorneys were upset about something Assistant U.S. Attorney Sally Yates said in front of jurors that implied Campbell had made statements to investigators about his gambling habits.
Yates asked IRS agent Bill Salinski: “Has Mayor Campbell made any representations concerning whether he usually won or lost in Friday night poker games?�
The agent replied: “Yes, he has.�
Defense attorneys Billy Martin and Jerry Froelich quickly objected.
Yates replied: “It’s an admission, your honor, of the defendant.�
U.S. District Judge Richard Story sided with the prosecution.
Defense attorneys first asked for a mistrial Friday after a former city councilman testified “scandals had been exposed� while Campbell was mayor.
Story denied the mistrial request from Froelich, but the judge also chided the witness, former Councilman Lee Morris, for referring to scandals during his testimony.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Campbell may seek mistrial today
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Attorneys for former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell said they may ask for a mistrial this morning in his public corruption case.
They’re upset about something Assistant U.S. Attorney Sally Yates said in front of jurors that implied Campbell had made statements to investigators about his gambling habits.
Yates asked IRS agent Bill Salinski: “Has Mayor Campbell made any representations concerning whether he usually won or lost in Friday night poker games?�
The agent replied: “Yes, he has.�
Defense attorneys Billy Martin and Jerry Froelich quickly objected.
Yates replied: “It’s an admission, your honor, of the defendant.�
Campbell’s attorneys then asked to talk to the judge without the jury in the courtroom.
They’re concerned jurors will believe Campbell made statements to investigators and will question why they can’t see the statements or hear him testify.
Campbell actually never talked to investigators about his gambling habits. Instead, Yates was referring to statements at a hearing last year by his attorneys.
U.S. District Court Judge Richard Story cautioned both sides to be more careful and to hash out any future controversial issues when jurors aren’t present.
“You know the danger zones, when we’re in a mine field,� the judge said. “I think this was dangerous.�
Martin said the defense team will discuss whether to ask for a mistrial and sanctions against prosecutors. The judge told both sides to be in court at 9 a.m. for a brief hearing without the jurors, who are scheduled to return at 9:30 a.m.
Defense attorneys first asked for a mistrial Friday after a former city councilman testified “scandals had been exposed� while Campbell was mayor.
Story denied the mistrial request from Froelich, but the judge also chided the witness, former Councilman Lee Morris, for referring to scandals during his testimony.
“I don’t need to have off-handed comments throw us into a mistrial situation and have to go back and start this process all over� Story said.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
Spectator arrested for threatening witness
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The federal corruption trial of former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell was delayed Wednesday morning when a spectator was removed from the courtroom and arrested by federal marshals for threatening a witness.
The man identified as Paul Debnam was kept in custody for most of the afternoon but released without charges being pressed by the U.S. Attorney. He wrote an apology to the court. U.S. Marshal Richard Mecum said he was released because “there were not witnesses to his phone calls. If there were witnesses, he could be charged with making terroristic threats. Without witnesses, we had nothing.�
U. S. Attorney’s office spokesman Patrick Crosby said Debnam allegedly threatened witness Dewey Clark, who has been on the witness stand since Monday. During the midmorning break, Clark told his FBI agent-escort, John Iocavelli, that he had been threatened by a spectator.
Iocavelli went into the gallery and accosted Debnam as spectators were leaving the courtroom for a 15-minute break. The FBI agent told the marshals, “He has called the witness and told him not to testify,” the agent said, pointing at Debnam. “And just now, he pointed at the witness and did this,” said Iocavelli, making a slashing motion as his throat.
Court was delayed about 15 minutes.
When court convened around 11 a.m., a new witness took the stand, Campbell’s former executive assistant, Serena Skaggs.
Skaggs testified she overhead a conversation between the mayor and Dewey Clark, who she said were discussing a bribe from nightclub owner Michael Childs, who was seeking a liquor license for a third nightclub he wanted to open. She said she heard Clark say to the mayor: “You know you took that boy’s money.” The mayor responded, “Technically, I didn’t; you did,” Skaggs testified.
For the last three days, Clark has testified he served as the go-between for delivering bribes from Childs to Campbell and that he saw the former mayor take cash payoffs from others. Clark lived in for years in the basement of Campbell’s Inman Park home and for six of Campbell’s eight years in office, served as his personal assistant at City Hall. He said on the witness stand that he felt like a member of the mayor’s family during that time.
It is not known what relationship, if any, Debnam may have with the former mayor.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
