The string of coincidences knotted throughout the prosecution's case against former state Rep. Robin Williams and four associates were just that - coincidences, defendants testified Monday.
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Robin Williams: Ex-legislator's gift had nothing to do with a contract extension, C. Michael Brockman said.
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Mr. Williams and his close friend C. Michael Brockman faced tough cross-examination Monday about the timing of certain events at the Community Mental Health Center of East Central Georgia while Mr. Brockman was an executive there.
Mr. Williams, Mr. Brockman, Augusta pharmacist Duncan Fordham, and lobbyists M. Chad Long and Rick L. Camp have pleaded not guilty to charges that include conspiracy and health care fraud. Their joint federal trial entered its second week Monday.
Prosecutors homed in on a pricey cruise purchased by Mr. Williams for Mr. Brockman the same month Mr. Brockman extended the center's contract with Duncan Drugs.
"That penthouse cruise had nothing to do with extending Duncan's contract. ... My best friend brought me that cruise and - by the way - I had a great time," Mr. Brockman said.
Mr. Brockman testified that he hadn't known that Mr. Williams received a cut of the mental health center's payment to Duncan Drugs' owner, Mr. Fordham, to run the center's pharmacy.
Between the monthly fees and the incentive payments, in a little more than two years, Mr. Williams collected $357,000 from Mr. Fordham, according to witnesses.
In July 2002, Mr. Brockman extended the center's business arrangement with Mr. Fordham for seven more years.
That same month, Mr. Brockman's $7,200 cruise was booked.
Mr. Williams testified that he considered the payments from Mr. Fordham commissions that he earned for bringing the pharmacist and mental health center together.
The memo lines on Mr. Fordham's checks never listed "commission" but that was what they were, Mr. Williams said.
Mr. Fordham did write "lobbying fees" on the memo line once, but he might have been thinking that all former politicians are lobbyists, Mr. Williams said.
Mr. Williams also testified he wasn't trying to hide his ownership of International Consulting Corp., which won a $250,000 contract with the mental health center - a contract that listed Mr. Long's address and a public relation firm's telephone number.
Mr. Williams said he wanted important documents mailed to Mr. Long so Mr. Long could bring them to his attention, and he wanted the mental health center's board to be in contact with the PR specialist Mr. Williams hired to be the lead man in the deal.
He asked Mr. Long to sign someone else's name to that $250,000 contract with the center, Mr. Williams testified, because Mr. Long's handwriting is better than his.
He said he could also explain why checks from Capitol Health Systems, which were made out in the name of an acquaintance, Angela Moye, ended up in his bank account.
Mr. Williams was the majority stockholder of Capitol Health Systems, which had a $1.2 million contract to do billing for the mental health center. He intended to hire Ms. Moye, "but we never got around to doing that," he said.
Mr. Brockman testified that he didn't know Mr. Williams benefited from Mr. Fordham's pharmacy contract, or that Mr. Williams was a majority stockholder in Capitol Heath Systems - who would receive not only a monthly fee but incentive payments, like Mr. Fordham received.
Mr. Brockman denied telling a center employee that it was state Sen. Charles Walker who was involved in Capitol Health Systems, not Mr. Williams, when rumors were circulating and anonymous letters alleging corruption surfaced at the center.
The board's chairwoman, Nancy Williamson, testified last week that she talked with Mr. Brockman about the anonymous allegations brought to her attention, including suspicions about who paid for the cruise he took.
"She asked me if Duncan Drugs paid for my cruise," Mr. Brockman said.
He told her no because it wasn't true, Mr. Brockman testified. He didn't volunteer that Mr. Williams paid, because "she never asked."
He never told the board that Mr. Fordham would receive hundreds of thousands in bonus payments, but the information was available had board members asked, Mr. Brockman testified.
"If they didn't know, that's not my fault," he said.
Reach Sandy Hodson at (706) 823-3226 or sandy.hodson@augustachronicle.com.
CHARGE DROPPED
U.S. District Judge Dudley H. Bowen Jr. granted the defense's motion to dismiss a conspiracy charge against Duncan Fordham, the owner of Duncan Drugs. Mr. Fordham faces only one other charge in the 30-count indictment: health care fraud. Testimony continues today.
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
