A federal jury convicted former state Rep. Robin Williams of all criminal charges Thursday.
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Robin Williams answers questions from members of the media Thursday outside the federal courthouse in Augusta. Sentencing in Mr. Williams case will likely be in two to three months.
Chris Thelen/Staff
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In the 11th day of trial in U.S. District Court, the jury convicted Mr. Williams of conspiracy, bribery, theft, health care fraud and money laundering.
Also convicted were C. Michael Brockman, M. Chad Long, Rick L. Camp, and Duncan Fordham and his pharmacy, Duncan Drugs. All remain free on bond.
The men were indicted in May 2004 on charges that they stole more than $2 million from the Community Mental Health Center of East Central Georgia.
"I'm very tired, I'm very relieved, and we are very pleased with the verdict," said prosecutor Harrison Kohler, who retired in March from the state attorney general's office but stayed on to finish this case.
Federal probation officers will prepare detailed background reports that will have a large impact on what sentences, restitution and fines the men might face, Assistant U.S. Attorney James Durham said.
Sentencing dates will be set in two to three months.
On Thursday, each defendant conceded the final, civil forfeiture count of the indictment. Mr. Fordham and his drug store agreed to forfeit $500,000; Mr. Williams agreed to $400,000; Mr. Camp agreed to $55,000; Mr. Long agreed to $35,000; and Mr. Brockman agreed to $14,063.
As Mr. Williams left the federal courthouse, he appeared as upbeat as he had when facing media during his 10 years in the Georgia House of Representatives.
"After they got finished beating up on me, I felt pretty bad about myself," Mr. Williams said, but he vowed to keep his head up and keep smiling. The other defendants left without any public comment.
The status of Mr. Fordham's pharmacist license and business will be up to the state's pharmacy board, Mr. Durham said.
During the trial, prosecutors presented thousands of documents that linked Mr. Williams and the center's executive director, Mr. Brockman, in a series of fraudulent schemes to steal from the mental health center. Mr. Williams enabled Mr. Brockman to get a job at the center in late 1998 by getting a supplemental budget item added to the state's budget that year to fund his salary.
According to trial testimony, Mr. Williams and Mr. Brockman used contracts through the center to enable Mr. Long, Mr. Camp and especially Mr. Fordham to siphon Medicaid funds from the center from 1999 until January 2003. Mr. Brockman was forced out of the center, placed on administrative leave and fired later in 2003.
Each of the defendants claimed they saw their contracts and dealings at the mental health center as legitimate business arrangements.
Mr. Williams got more than $357,000 from Mr. Fordham, and also took thousands of dollars in cuts from Mr. Long, the grandson of former Georgia House Speaker Tom Murphy, and Mr. Camp, a retired Atlanta Braves pitcher.
The prosecutors credited Karen Hartley, of the state's health care fraud unit, with building the case against the men. Mr. Kohler also credited Nancy Williamson, who served as board chairwoman over the mental health center.
"If not for her, there might not have been an investigation," Mr. Kohler said.
Dr. Phil Horton, who served as acting director after allegations of corruption at the center surfaced in January 2003, was relieved by Thursday's verdict.
"I called the center, and there was complete jubilation, because I think we've been under such a black cloud for a couple of years. This is really a vindication of what's happened," he said.
Neita Mulherin, a former director of the mental health center who had voiced suspicions about the former administration's dealings with Mr. Williams, also was satisfied.
"I think the jury did the right thing. I hope it's the beginning of a new day (for the center). I think they're out from under the cloud now and the sunshine will come out.
"If they hadn't been found guilty, then somebody else might try to do the same thing," said Mrs. Mulherin, who also attended the trial.
Reach Sandy Hodson, Tom Corwin and Sylvia Cooper at (706) 724-0851.
CONVICTIONS
Robin L. Williams: Conspiracy; theft; four counts of health-care fraud; two counts of money laundering; nine counts of bribery
C. Michael Brockman: Conspiracy; two counts of theft; two counts of money laundering; five counts of health-care fraud; six counts of bribery; acquitted of one bribery countDuncan Fordham: One count of health-care fraud
Rick L. Camp: Conspiracy; health-care fraud; two counts of money laundering; acquitted of making a false statement
M. Chad Long: Conspiracy and health-care fraud
Maximum penalties
CONSPIRACY: Five years in prison, $250,000 fine
HEALTH CARE FRAUD: Ten years in prison, $250,000 fine
BRIBERY: Ten years in prison, $250,000 fine
THEFT: Ten years in prison, $250,000 fine
MONEY LAUNDERING: Twenty years in prison, $250,000 fine
FALSE STATEMENTS: Five years in prison, $250,000 fine
The defendants remain free on bond pending sentencing, which should be scheduled in the next two to three months.
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
