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ATLANTA (AP) The federal corruption trial of former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell enters its fifth week today.

More than 50 witnesses already have testified.

This week's testimony will involve a contract for dirt for a new runway at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Other witnesses are expected to testify about alleged cash bribes and computer contracts.

Contractor Ronnie Thornton is among those expected to testify. Prosecutors say in 1997, Thornton was trying to get a contract to provide dirt to build a fifth runway at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Prosecutors claim Thornton was told by Campbell that he had to raise $100 thousand for Campbell's 1997 run-off election.

Thornton is accused of raising the money illegally.

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

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

Defense attorneys have cautioned jurors that witnesses such as Thornton have made deals with prosecutors in exchange for their testimony and therefore their testimony is suspect.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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