The federal trial begins today for four businessmen and former state Rep. Robin Williams, who are accused of scheming to steal about $2 million from an Augusta mental health center.
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Mr. Williams, who once supported bills in the General Assembly to aid and protect the mentally ill, was indicted along with the others in May 2004.
The 29-count federal indictment accuses Mr. Williams; C. Michael Brockman, a former director of the Community Mental Health Center of East Central Georgia; Duncan Fordham, the owner of Duncan Drugs; and two state lobbyists - Chad Long, a grandson of longtime political heavyweight Tom Murphy, and Rick L. Camp, a former pitcher for the Atlanta Braves - of conspiracy, theft, health care fraud, money laundering, bribery and false statements,
Each has pleaded not guilty in the U.S. District Court in Augusta, where jury selection begins this morning.
The defendants are expected to try to convince the jury that they were just doing business as usual with the mental health center.
Mr. Brockman was among the center's executives who were fired by the board in 2003.
State and federal prosecutors will try to convince the jury that the defendants illegally obtained lucrative contracts and paid bribes and kickbacks as the mental health center's budget slipped into the red.
The financially strapped center is often the only source of mental health care for the poor and uninsured in the Augusta area.
If the defendants are convicted, the trial will continue with an additional phase. The government will seek the forfeiture of assets to recoup what was allegedly illegally obtained.
State auditors launched audits at the mental health center - and issued scathing reports - after The Augusta Chronicle began investigating dealings at the center in January 2003.
Reach Sandy Hodson at (706) 823-3226 or sandy.hodson@augustachronicle.com.
THE CHARGES
- Robin Williams faces charges of conspiracy; theft; four counts of health care fraud; three counts of money laundering; and 10 counts of bribery.
- C. Michael Brockman faces charges of conspiracy; two counts of theft; three counts of money laundering; five counts of health care fraud; and eight counts of bribery.
- Duncan Fordham and Duncan Drugs each face charges of conspiracy and health care fraud.
- Rick L. Camp faces charges of conspiracy; health care fraud; false statements; and three counts of money laundering.
- Chad Long faces charges of conspiracy and health care fraud.
Each count is punishable by a maximum penalty of*:
Conspiracy: five years
False statements: five years
Bribery: 10 years
Health care fraud: 10 years
Theft: 10 years
Money laundering: 20 years
*Federal prison sentences rarely reach the maximum
Previous Stories
• Williams case goes to jurors
• Defendants had faith in Williams
• Questions focus on pricey cruise
• Robin Williams calls deals honest
• Williams trial witness is first to admit fraud
• Prosecutors say Williams lined pockets
• Witnesses speak of contract talks
• Jurors listen to tales of windfall
• Witness says he was 'puppet'
• Jury hears opening statements
• Fraud trial set for court today
• Trial is set to begin in fraud case
• Center considers name change for credibility
• Mental health center CEO works to get things straight
• Tangle of controversy
• Robin Williams' trial is set to begin Feb. 14
• Trials often have set path
• Health agency's board selects candidates
• Lawyer settles on deal
• Attorney could face complaints on ethics
• Center's ex-lawyer pleads innocent
• Williams' lawyer calls deals legal
• Williams indicted on fraud
Editorials
• Distressing indictments
