Paul David, the former attorney for a community mental health center, pleaded guilty Thursday to tax evasion. Michael Holahan/Staff

Lawyer settles on deal

Paul David, the former attorney for a community mental health center, pleaded guilty Thursday to tax evasion.

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However, the charge lodged in connection with his work for the Community Mental Health Center of East Central Georgia, false writings, was dismissed.

Mr. David was scheduled to stand trial Monday in Richmond County Superior Court. But when he and his attorney, Charles Lyons, met with state Assistant Attorney General Harrison Kohler on Thursday, they all agreed to the plea negotiation, Mr. Lyons said.

Senior Judge Bernard J. Mulherin Sr. sentenced Mr. David to five years of probation under the First Offender Act. In lieu of a fine, he ordered 200 hours of community service and more than $6,000 in restitution.

"I just want it known that we were willing to plead guilty to tax evasion for four or five months,'' Mr. Lyons said.

But Mr. David has been adamant that he knew nothing about the false writings, Mr. Lyons said.

In that charge, Mr. David was accused of lying about the terms of a $224,000 settlement package for Campbell Peery, a former executive director of the mental health center.

It was the next executive director, C. Michael Brockman, who told Mr. David that the funds for the settlement were available in specific accounts, and that's what he reported to state auditors, Mr. Lyons said.

"He had to rely on Mr. Brockman,'' Mr. Lyons said.

Mr. Brockman, former Georgia Rep. Robin Williams, Duncan Fordham, Rick L. Camp and M. Chad Long were indicted in federal court in May. They are accused of conspiring to use the mental health center to steal $2 million in health care funds. Each has pleaded innocent.

An agreement to testify or cooperate with prosecutors was not part of Mr. David's agreement, Mr. Lyons said.

Reach Sandy Hodson at (706) 823-3226 or sandy.hodson@augustachronicle.com.

--From the Friday, August 27, 2004 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle