Former Rep. Robin Williams did the talking to pitch a contract idea to a mental health center in western Georgia, but months later, at home in Augusta, he hired a public relations specialist to do the same, witnesses testified Thursday.
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Robin Williams: Former lawmaker is standing trial along with four others on charges of fraud and conspiracy.
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"It was clear to me he didn't want his name in it," Scott Maxwell testified. Mr. Williams asked him to make a pitch for a $250,000 contract with the Community Mental Health Center of East Central Georgia in Augusta.
Mr. Maxwell was among the witnesses to testify during the fourth day of trial in U.S. District Court. Mr. Williams, former center director C. Michael Brockman, Augusta pharmacist Duncan Fordham, and lobbyists Rick L. Camp and M. Chad Long have pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy and health care fraud.
The men are accused of using the meager funds of the Augusta mental health center, which provided mental health services for mostly poor clients in the region, to line their own pockets.
In March 2002, Mr. Williams called Mr. Maxwell with a business opportunity, Mr. Maxwell testified. Mr. Williams was putting together a team to obtain a certificate from the state that would allow the mental health center to open an inpatient acute-care unit for children.
Mr. Williams wanted him to interface with the center's board members and quarterback the effort, Mr. Maxwell said.
"I knew he didn't want to be involved in the process ... I assumed for political reasons," Mr. Maxwell said. "It wasn't good to mix politics with business."
Mr. Williams, who had lost his legislative seat two years earlier, was campaigning for mayor of Augusta.
The board voted for the $250,000 contract with International Consulting Corp., Mr. Maxwell testified.
Pamela Stephenson testified that she agreed to prepare the application that the state uses to determine whether the certificate is granted. Her cost estimate was $55,000 to $60,000, not $250,000, she testified.
Months before Mr. Maxwell agreed to talk to the Augusta center's board, Mr. Williams was making a presentation in western Georgia in hopes of obtaining a contract.
In LaGrange, Mr. Williams and Mr. Long met with Joan Turner and several of her staff members in late December 2001 or January 2002, she testified. Mr. Long had arranged the meeting to propose setting up a pharmacy at the state-run center there, Ms. Turner said. Mr. Williams made the presentation, she said.
"He said that they had set up a pharmacy in Augusta that was very successful," Ms. Turner testified.
The federal indictment alleges a conspiracy to defraud the mental health center through the contract Mr. Fordham and his company, Duncan Drugs, had with the center.
Also testifying Thursday were board members who were questioned about the contract that Mr. Maxwell helped pitch, and about the contract with Mr. Fordham.
Each testified that they were assured they would be reimbursed $220,000, and that was a major factor in their vote in favor of the contract Mr. Maxwell pitched.
Only one former board member, Jack Usry, testified he knew that Mr. Fordham would receive incentive payments for running the pharmacy.
Reach Sandy Hodson at (706) 823-3226 or sandy.hodson@augustachronicle.com.
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
