Memphis mayor says his testimony in trial sought by defense

<p>Mayor Willie Herenton said Monday that his expected testimony at the federal corruption trial of former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell is the result of a subpoena obtained by the defense, not by prosecutors.</p><p>Herenton declined to comment on the substance of his testimony expected this month in Atlanta, but issued a statement saying his administration "in no way, form or fashion, has been accused of any wrongdoing."</p><p>Herenton also declined to respond to news reports on trial testimony from former Campbell aide Dewey Clark, who has said he collected money for the Atlanta mayor from a strip club owner and a communications contractor with the city.</p><p>In testimony last week, Clark said he handed $9,000 to Herenton in the Memphis mayor's office, according to court transcripts obtained by The Commercial Appeal newspaper.</p><p>Clark gave no details on where that money came from or why he would have given it to Herenton. Clark, a Tennessee native who returned to Memphis after leaving city government in Atlanta, said he has worked on political campaigns for Herenton.</p><p>Herenton said he could not talk about the trial or Clark's testimony until after he testifies himself.</p><p>He refused to say when he expects to go to Atlanta. "I don't want to tell you because I don't want you following me," he told a group of news reporters. "In fact, I'm looking forward to the testimony."</p><p>Herenton's staff acknowledged earlier that he was subpoenaed late last week but declined further comment.</p><p>At a news conference where he complained of biased news reports seeking to link him to Campbell's troubles, Herenton said he was called to testify as a defense witness.</p><p>"Some of you just assumed ... that the prosecution" issued the subpoena, Herenton said. "No. I was subpoenaed by the defense."</p><p>Campbell, Atlanta's mayor from 1994 to 2002, is charged with racketeering, bribery and fraud. The trial is in its third week.</p><p>He was indicted in 2004 following a seven-year federal investigation that has led to criminal convictions of 10 former city officials or contractors.</p><p>"Memphis and Atlanta are considered to be sister cities. I attended the inauguration of Bill Campbell. Bill Campbell has come to Memphis," Herenton said. "We were colleagues for eight years and I have great admiration and respect for the former mayor."</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2006/2/130499