WSB's Veronica Waters reports the Government's final witness in the case was on the stand Friday. Bill Salinski is an Internal Revenue Service Agent who has been tracing Campbell's spending in recent years.

The Agent tracked Campbell's income from 1996 to 1999. He testified that in 1999, Campbell's recorded income from all sources, including salary, was just over $183,000. He compared that to spending by Campbell that was over $23,000 dollars in '99, saying at the same time the former mayor only took $69.00 in cash out of his bank accounts.

Salinski also traced high-dollar items including electronics, travel and meals that were paid with checks or credit cards. Even Campbell's check or credit card spending on groceries and utilities, he testified, saw a marked decrease in those years. Prosecutors contend Campbell was paying for a high-flying lifestyle on the dime of city contractors who funneled him cash.

Defense attorney Billy Martin pointed out on cross-examination that while the Government alleges that three men--Michael Childs, Fred Prewitt, and Sam Barber--gave the Mayor nearly $150,000 in bribes, none of those three was called to testify. He reminded Agent Salinski of earlier testimony in which the jury heard that when taken before a grand jury, Prewitt said repeatedly that he had never given money to Campbell.

Prewitt later admitted making false statements to the grand jury, but Salinski acknowledged that neither Prewitt nor prosecutors ever specified what the false statements were.

The jury will have the day off when motions are argued on Monday; defense attorneys are expected to begin their case on Tuesday. Prosecutors may have other witnesses to call on rebuttal after the defense rests.

Friday, 24 February 2006