Post by pelicanguy on Jun 13, 2006 18:14:33 GMT -5
www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=80912
Campbell Vows to Fight Prison Term
Reported By: Jerry Carnes
Web Editor: Tracey Christensen
Last Modified: 6/13/2006 7:04:47 PM
Former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell failed in his attempt to get probation on a tax evasion conviction as a federal court judge sentenced him to prison for 2 1/2 years Tuesday. Campbell, 52, was also fined $6,300 and quickly vowed to fight the verdict when he emerged from the federal courthouse in Downtown Atlanta.
"This is, I think, an abomination in terms of what we had expected and certainly in terms of what the jury's verdict was and we will continue our strong faith and as I said from the very beginning, I never betrayed the public trust and the jury found that way," Campbell said.
While the jury found Campbell not guilty of bribery and racketeering charges in March, Judge Richard Story said during the sentencing phase of the trial that he believes Campbell did line his pockets with ill-gotten gains while serving as mayor of Atlanta. Story ruled that the pre-ponderous of evidence showed that Campbell did accept cash bribes from a golfing buddy. During the trial, that buddy testified that he gave Campbell three cash payments totaling $55,000.
Judge Story said that he believes Campbell also obstructed justice when he took documents from a poker buddy that showed how much Campbell won while playing Friday night poker games.
"I think what we saw today unfortunately was an attempt to undo the jury's verdict and I regret that very much," said Campbell, who could remain free while he files an appeal.
Campbell sat stone-faced during the proceedings and declined when given an opportunity to speak before Judge Story decided his sentence. The U.S. Attorney's office applauded the prison term.
"Justice has now been done. After a full and fair trial and sentencing, Bill Campbell has been found guilty of three serious felonies and will be going to prison," U.S. Attorney David Nahmias said. "While this is a good day for justice, it is also a sad day because Bill Campbell was a man of talent and ability and he took the wrong path into crime."
Supporters of Campbell were visibly angry when they left the federal building, adding that they believe the former mayor will eventually have the sentence reduced on appeal.
"[Judge Story] admitted in the courtroom that he does not know Bill Campbell and clearly from that sentence today he does not know Bill Campbell, a man of compassion, a man of great respect," said former Campbell staffer Michael Langford.
One of Campbell's lead attorneys, Jerry Froelich, said he was surprised that the judge found Campbell obstructed justice in taking documents from his poker buddy.
"I was surprised the judge accepted that and you know the jury had spoke as to the other parts of it and it really took me by surprise on that issue," Froelich said.
The government investigation that costs millions of dollars over seven years also led to the conviction of 10 Campbell associates. Prosecutors tried to prove that Campbell had taken more than $160,000 in illegal campaign contributions, cash payments, junkets and home improvements from city contractors while he was mayor from 1994 to 2002. Instead, he was convicted on just three counts of federal tax evasion, and acquitted on racketeering and bribery charges.
Campbell Vows to Fight Prison Term
Reported By: Jerry Carnes
Web Editor: Tracey Christensen
Last Modified: 6/13/2006 7:04:47 PM
Former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell failed in his attempt to get probation on a tax evasion conviction as a federal court judge sentenced him to prison for 2 1/2 years Tuesday. Campbell, 52, was also fined $6,300 and quickly vowed to fight the verdict when he emerged from the federal courthouse in Downtown Atlanta.
"This is, I think, an abomination in terms of what we had expected and certainly in terms of what the jury's verdict was and we will continue our strong faith and as I said from the very beginning, I never betrayed the public trust and the jury found that way," Campbell said.
While the jury found Campbell not guilty of bribery and racketeering charges in March, Judge Richard Story said during the sentencing phase of the trial that he believes Campbell did line his pockets with ill-gotten gains while serving as mayor of Atlanta. Story ruled that the pre-ponderous of evidence showed that Campbell did accept cash bribes from a golfing buddy. During the trial, that buddy testified that he gave Campbell three cash payments totaling $55,000.
Judge Story said that he believes Campbell also obstructed justice when he took documents from a poker buddy that showed how much Campbell won while playing Friday night poker games.
"I think what we saw today unfortunately was an attempt to undo the jury's verdict and I regret that very much," said Campbell, who could remain free while he files an appeal.
Campbell sat stone-faced during the proceedings and declined when given an opportunity to speak before Judge Story decided his sentence. The U.S. Attorney's office applauded the prison term.
"Justice has now been done. After a full and fair trial and sentencing, Bill Campbell has been found guilty of three serious felonies and will be going to prison," U.S. Attorney David Nahmias said. "While this is a good day for justice, it is also a sad day because Bill Campbell was a man of talent and ability and he took the wrong path into crime."
Supporters of Campbell were visibly angry when they left the federal building, adding that they believe the former mayor will eventually have the sentence reduced on appeal.
"[Judge Story] admitted in the courtroom that he does not know Bill Campbell and clearly from that sentence today he does not know Bill Campbell, a man of compassion, a man of great respect," said former Campbell staffer Michael Langford.
One of Campbell's lead attorneys, Jerry Froelich, said he was surprised that the judge found Campbell obstructed justice in taking documents from his poker buddy.
"I was surprised the judge accepted that and you know the jury had spoke as to the other parts of it and it really took me by surprise on that issue," Froelich said.
The government investigation that costs millions of dollars over seven years also led to the conviction of 10 Campbell associates. Prosecutors tried to prove that Campbell had taken more than $160,000 in illegal campaign contributions, cash payments, junkets and home improvements from city contractors while he was mayor from 1994 to 2002. Instead, he was convicted on just three counts of federal tax evasion, and acquitted on racketeering and bribery charges.