Ex-Atlanta mayor on trial on corruption charges

ATLANTA (Reuters) – Former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell said
at the start of his corruption trial on Tuesday that he was
confident of being vindicated even though nearly a dozen former
aides already have been convicted.

“(This is) a day I’ve waited for for a long time — the
opportunity to clear my name,” he told the Atlanta
Journal-Constitution, according to the newspaper’s Web site.

Prosecutors accuse the 52-year-old Campbell, mayor of
Georgia’s capital city from 1994 to 2002, of accepting more
than $150,000 in bribes from people and businesses seeking city
contracts or licenses.

They also charge that Campbell accepted illegal campaign
contributions and non-cash gifts. Some former aides are
expected to testify against him.

“I’m anxious to move this process forward as quickly as
possible,” Campbell, who has strongly denied the charges, told
local television as he entered an Atlanta courtroom for the
start of jury selection.

He was indicted in August 2004 after a five-year
investigation into municipal corruption. The selection of 12
jurors is expected to be completed this week followed by
opening arguments next week.