Continuing coverage
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution will provide the latest developments from suspended DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis’ retrial as it continues. You can find video and audio reports, interactive online features and updates from the retrial at myAJC.com.
Suspended DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis faced a barrage of tough questions Monday as he denied that he punished contractors who rejected his pleas for campaign contributions.
“You say people don’t have to respond, but when they don’t respond, you tell your procurement director you shouldn’t be doing business with them,” District Attorney Robert James said as he questioned Ellis.
Ellis is charged with strong-arming vendors for contributions to his 2012 re-election campaign, and then lying under oath when asked about his role in county contracting.
He was testifying in his own defense for the third day Monday, but this was the first time he faced cross-examination from prosecutors.
“I’m very clear at all times that whether or not someone decides to give to my campaign or not give to my campaign … is no criteria” for determining whether they receive county business, Ellis said.
James frequently wrote Ellis’ statements on a courtroom poster board in an attempt to use Ellis’ words against him.
James wrote, “They don’t know why I’m calling,” “People don’t have to respond” and “People don’t always say no in terms of saying no.”
Ellis said he when he called contractors into his office or had a problem with them, it was because they were rude or evasive. He said his complaints were about their lack of being “responsive” to his calls.
“It was never about whether they returned phone calls … it had to do with deceitfulness,” Ellis said. “I was calling in my official capacity as CEO raising money for my public campaign for public office.”
Ellis also denied that he tied county contracts to whether businesses made political contributions.
“I never offered to do anything in exchange for a campaign (contribution),” Ellis said.
The indictment against Ellis alleges he victimized four businesses that resisted donating to his campaign. Representatives from each of those contractors have told the jury that they believed their business relationship with the county depended on his requests for money.
Ellis testimony will continue Tuesday, and DeKalb Superior Court Judge Courtney Johnson has told jurors they might begin deliberations Tuesday or Wednesday.
Ellis is charged with nine counts of extortion, bribery and perjury. Ellis went on trial on these same charges last year but the jury couldn’t reach a verdict after 11 days of deliberations.
If Ellis, a real estate attorney, is convicted, he could lose his license to practice law as well as his political career.
If he’s acquitted, however, he could immediately return to the job of running the state’s fourth-largest county.
About the Author
