State Sen. Charles Walker was convicted of 127 federal criminal charges Friday afternoon.
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"I'm OK, I'm OK," Mr. Walker said before leaving the courthouse at the end of 12 days of trial.
"I'm going to evaluate my options."
As he exited to face the assembled media, his daughter Monique Walker Hill told him he did not have to make a statement.
"They didn't do anything for us," she said.
U.S. District Court Judge Dudley H. Bowen Jr. told Mr. Walker that he may remain free on bond pending his sentencing.
Outside, still maintaining a smile as photographers and cameramen zoomed in and reporters peppered him with questions, Mr. Walker walked quickly and silently to his attorney's vehicle.
Family members and friends had rushed to the courthouse as the verdict was announced just before 5 p.m.
As Mr. Walker descended the courthouse steps, they walked with him.
The federal jury, composed of nine whites and three blacks, deliberated about 20 hours during the span of three days before reaching the unanimous verdict that Mr. Walker committed conspiracy, mail fraud and filed false charity tax returns. The charges relate to his dealings with newspaper advertisers, two public hospitals, his campaign contributors, and the CSRA Classic charity event he founded more than a decade ago.
The jury acquitted Mr. Walker of 10 charges, rejecting the allegations that he filed false personal tax returns. The jury also acquitted Mr. Walker of six counts of mail fraud - one for his dealings with Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, and five for campaign finances.
Mr. Walker could face a minimum five-year sentence and potentially much more, said attorney John Garcia, a former federal prosecutor.
Mr. Walker lost his Senate seat upon his felony convictions Friday, according to Gov. Sonny Perdue's office.
He had just reclaimed the Senate District 22 seat last fall, soundly beating Republican Sen. Don Cheeks.
Mr. Walker, once considered a potential contender for governor, has been one of the most powerful Democrats in state politics. In 1996, he became the first black man to become Senate majority leader.
It was from that powerful position, prosecutors alleged, that he began a series of criminal acts to obtain contracts with Grady Memorial Hospital and the Medical College of Georgia.
The indictment also accuses Mr. Walker of using campaign funds, such as a $38,000 check, for his personal use.
The majority of the criminal charges, and the only two conspiracy charges, involve Mr. Walker's newspaper, Augusta Focus, and the CSRA Classic.
The indictment accused Mr. Walker of conspiring with his daughter Ms. Walker Hill to bilk advertisers by grossly inflating circulation numbers, and of stealing cash proceeds from the annual college football game, which was held to raise money for scholarships.
Ms. Walker Hill was granted a separate trial. That trial date has not been set.
Three of Mr. Walker's businesses - the Walker Group, Georgia Personnel Services and the Focus - also were named in the indictment and were convicted Friday night.
For the companies, guilty verdicts mean fines, said Donald Samuel, who represented the businesses at the trial.
When asked whether he had considered reasons for appeal, such as the jury selection process, he said, "We're going to assess that. We're going to analyze the whole trial and make that decision at the appropriate time."
Formal notice of that intention must be filed within seven days.
Mr. Walker will meet with an officer with the federal probationary division Monday. The officer will begin the personal investigation of Mr. Walker and his companies that will play a large role in Mr. Walker's sentence. A sentencing date will be set in two to three months.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Goolsby said the prosecution was pleased with the jury's decision. The chief investigator - IRS Special Agent Joel Ozburn - said the Walker case has been one of the largest investigations of his 32-year career.
As a condition of his release, Judge Bowen ordered Mr. Walker to assemble and submit financial statements for himself and his businesses, going back five years, by the end of the day Wednesday.
"I want to preserve the financial picture to prevent the potential for diminution or (disappearance) of assets," the judge said. "I want to have assurance from an accountant that that information is accurate."
Mr. Walker said to operate his businesses he would have to travel to Atlanta, Macon and Albany, Ga. Possible travel restrictions and adherence to a curfew of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. will be discussed with the pretrial services officer, the judge said.
"Do you have any duties after this legislative session?" the judge asked.
Mr. Walker replied there would be some committee meetings and constituent services.
Reach Sandy Hodson at (706) 823-3226 or sandy.hodson @augustachronicle.com; reach Sylvia Cooper at (706) 823-3228 or sylvia.cooper@augustachronicle.com.
Previous Stories
• Walker must appeal from cell
• Walker receives 10-year sentence
• 'McIntyre bill' now applies to Walker
• What they're saying about the Walker verdict - 06/06/05
• Walker verdict changes politics
• What they're saying about the Walker verdict - 06/05/05
• Jury convicts on 127 of 137 counts
Federal Indictment Documents
(Adobe Reader is required to read these files. Click here for the free reader)
• Full 66-page indictment *Caution: Large document* (pdf)
• Part 1: General Allegations (pdf)
• Penalty Certificate (pdf)
• Scheme to Defraud Advertisers in the Augusta Focus (pdf)
• Scheme to Defraud Involving Grady Memorial Hospital (pdf)
• Scheme to Defraud Involving the Medical College of Georgia (pdf)
• Scheme to Defraud Involving His Political Campaign Account
• Charles & Monique Walker's Scheme to Defraud the C.S.R.A. Classic (pdf)
• The Tax Counts (pdf)
