Developer backs out of city dirt deal

ATLANTA - A developer sentenced for making illegal campaign contributions to former Mayor Bill Campbell has sold his interest in tons of dirt intended for a new runway at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport. <br> <br> C.R. ``Ronnie&#39;&#39; Thornton received two years probation, plus community service and a fine, in a plea agreement for the Campbell contributions. He is cooperating with a federal probe into Atlanta city government corruption. <br> <br> Thornton has said he was told the contributions which totaled $130,000 were necessary if his bid to provide fill dirt for a proposed fifth runway at the airport was to be evaluated fairly. <br> <br> The sale, announced Friday, shifts Thornton&#39;s interest in 27 million cubic yards of dirt for the runway to his partner, Gwinnett County contractor John D. Stephens. Terms were not disclosed. <br> <br> The dirt that Thornton secured for the airport project is only a small part - less than $30 million - of the runway contract. <br> <br> The city council has questioned the $360 million dirt contract because there was only one bidder - 5R Constructors LLC. Thornton was to provide much of the dirt for 5R.

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