"Hartsfield Scandal: Campbell trial turns to airport dealings"

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Campbell trial turns to airport dealings
By JEFFRY SCOTT, BETH WARREN
The Atlanta (GA) Journal-Constitution


Over the last four weeks, more than 50 witnesses have testified in the
federal corruption trial of former Atlanta mayor Bill Campbell. Some have
stayed on the witness stand for hours, testifying about bank and credit card
records. Two women told about long-running relationships with the married
mayor and out-of-town trips, including to gambling casinos, where they said
he paid for virtually everything in cash. Others have testified about
alleged bribes and kickbacks and a ring of corruption that surrounded the
mayor in City Hall.

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 witness are expected to testify about alleged cash bribes and computer
contracts.

. WHO IS EXPECTED TO TESTIFY

Contractor C. R. "Ronnie" Thornton.

. WHAT HE IS EXPECTED TO TESTIFY ABOUT

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 run-off election. Thornton allegedly raised the
money illegally.

Prosecutors say Thornton gave a list of names to Campbell friend and city
contractor Samuel "Rickey" Rowe. A week before the runoff, 84 cashiers
checks totaling $56,000 were deposited into Campbell's campaign account.
Prosecutors also claim Thornton provided Rowe $30,000 to repay his employees
for their contributions to Campbell's campaign.

In December 1999, after Campbell won the runoff election, the city bought $2
million worth of dirt from Thornton.

. WHAT THE DEFENSE SAYS

Witnesses such as Thornton have deals with prosecutors and therefore their
testimony is suspect. "Don't make up your minds," defense attorney Jerry
Froelich told jurors in his opening statement. "Wait until you see the bias,
the motives and the deals."

. WHO IS EXPECTED TO TESTIFY

Vendor Samuel Barber Jr., owner of American Computer Technology

. WHAT HE IS EXPECTED TO TESTIFY ABOUT

Barber joined Campbell's campaign finance committee and funded illegal
contributions because he wanted city business, according to assistant U.S.
attorney Sally Yate's opening statement to the jury. After the election, he
received a software contract with the city. The prosecution alleges in the
indictment that Barber channeled $20,000, $25,000 and $10,000 in cash bribes
to Campbell, through Barber's friend and business associate, Dan
DeBardelaben.

. 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 only agreed to testify after the
government told him: "We've got you. Now, give us the mayor."

Defense attorney Froelich told jurors Barber solicited illegal contributions
from his employees, reimbursing them with bonus checks, for Campbell's
campaign in 1997. But he said Campbell wasn't involved. "Bill doesn't know
about that," Froelich said in opening arguments. "It was Barber's idea"

. WHO IS EXPECTED TO TESTIFY

Vendor Dan DeBardelaben, owner of Concept 2000 Atlanta, a subcontractor to
Sam Barber's company, American Computer Technology.

. WHAT HE IS EXPECTED TO TESTIFY ABOUT

That 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 Sally 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 repaid the mayor,
Yates said. He went by the mayor's home, 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. "Mayor
Campbell looked at his friend and told him: 'No one else can know about
this.'"

. WHAT THE DEFENSE SAYS

"He [DeBardelaben] is going to commit perjury here if he's going to say what
the government says he said," said attorney Froelich in his opening
statement. "And why is DeBardelaben going to commit perjury here? Because
they know they both have problems and they know what the government wants to
hear."


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