Questions about adultery rile Larke

Charles Larke has faced a variety of classroom and political obstacles lately, but last week he faced a different sort of challenge - in a Richmond County courtroom.

Dr. Larke, who cut a fine figure in a natty black pinstriped suit with coordinated tie, was called to testify in a divorce trial in which an Augusta man accused him of contributing to the breakup of his marriage.

Dr. Larke, who is not married, told the court he would not discuss his private life and six times invoked a state statute that exempts someone from testifying about any matter that might incriminate him or tend to disgrace him or his family.

"I'm not going to discuss my personal life with you," he said when questioned by attorney Randolph Frails about his relationship with Aray Darden, the executive director of the Richmond-Burke Job Training Authority.

"As a public official, that code gives me the right not to answer," he said, adding that the attorney was just trying to embarrass him because he is a public official.

"That does not mean I am guilty of anything. I am a single man," he said.

His appearance came on the third day of the trial, in which Mrs. Darden was seeking a divorce from Kenneth O. Darden and a division of $2.1 million in assets.

Dr. Larke was granted his own divorce in Columbia County in 2002. In testimony, he acknowledged meeting Mrs. Darden for lunch several times a month for about five years but cited the state statute when asked whether the two had ever taken out-of-town trips together.

He said Mrs. Darden edited his news releases, guest columns in newspapers and his doctoral thesis.

Mr. Darden, a Vietnam veteran and retired Savannah River Site civil engineer, wanted to retain his pension funds and real estate properties. Mrs. Darden wanted to split the assets equally.

On Thursday, the jury sided with him, giving him $1.15 million worth and her $700,013.

In February, Mr. Darden wrote school board members stating that Dr. Larke was going to be testifying concerning an adulterous relationship.

Dr. Larke testified that Mr. Darden had someone call and warn him that if Mrs. Darden didn't give him the property, he would embarrass him.

"I told her nobody was going to blackmail me," Dr. Larke said.

Well, you have to admire him for that.

THINGS YOU CAN LEARN SITTING IN A COURTROOM: Georgia is one of only two states in the nation that allows jury trials in divorce cases. The other state is Texas.

THE BRIDEGROOM DID NOT COMETH: And the reason he didn't is because he was sitting in the Aiken County pokey when it was time for the wedding April 23 at Sacred Heart Cultural Center. And that's because he's had two wrecks and a DUI earlier that day, police say.

The first thing Jeffrey Lynn Rausch, a 52-year-old psychiatrist at the Medical College of Georgia, ploughed into with his Dodge Magnum was a Richmond County patrol car parked on Greene Street by Sacred Heart at 1:25 p.m., police say. A deputy said he saw the good doctor make a wide left turn onto Greene and hit the rear of the patrol car. Dr. Rausch smelled like he'd been drinking and had what appeared to be a cocktail and an open bottle of gin in the car, said Deputy Henry T. Usry. At the jail, Dr. Rausch registered below the legal limit and was charged with an open container violation and let go.

Then lo and behold, at 5 p.m. on Georgia Avenue in North Augusta, the bridegroom ran off the road, jumped a curb, hit a light pole and two trees, police said. He was arrested and charged with DUI and transporting legal liquor unlawfully.

Along with open bottles of gin and tequila, officers also found several bags of tropical fish, which were taken to Bob's Tropical Fish on Washington Road for safekeeping.

As the 6:30 p.m. nuptial hour approached, the bride announced there would be no wedding. They did have the reception though. Might as well. It probably cost a fortune.

WHO'S BILLING WHO?: Mark Hilton, a prosecution witness at former state Rep. Robin Williams' federal trial last week, wasn't impressed by the work done by Capital Health Systems at the Community Mental Health Center in Augusta. Capital Health was getting $10,000 for five months to "straighten out" the center's billing. Mr. Hilton, assigned to work with them, described Capital's efforts as every other week one of two Capital employees would work on the center's accounts. He voiced his opinion to C. Michael Brockman, the center's director and close friend of Mr. Williams.

Later, he heard through the office grapevine that Mr. Brockman was told that Mr. Hilton was telling other employees that Mr. Williams was connected to Capital Health.

Mr. Brockman made a point of telling Mr. Hilton that it was state Sen. Charles Walker, not Mr. Williams, who was connected with Capital Health, Mr. Hilton testified.

There is no evidence Mr. Walker had anything to do with Capital Health.

Later in the week, prosecutors documented through witnesses how Capital Health wrote five $10,000 checks that were deposited into Mr. Williams' business bank accounts.

Mr. Williams has pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy and health care fraud. His defense attorney explained in his opening statement that Mr. Williams was simply doing business with the mental health center and never concealed his identity or ownership of companies.

Mr. Walker is not a defendant in Mr. Williams' trial, although he has pleaded not guilty in another federal case set for trial next month in U.S. District Court in Augusta.

WHAT'S BUGGING FRAZIER?: The Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority dissolved into argument at last week's monthly meeting.

After several disagreements concerning procedure based on Robert's Rules of Order and various interruptions by members, the authority's newly elected vice chairman, Wayne Frazier, angrily reprimanded the group, ranting about "Robert's Blue Book" and asking members to be courteous while others were talking.

He specifically targeted outgoing Chairwoman Annie Rogers for commenting to J.R. Riles she was going to "put a bug in his ear" while Mr. Frazier was speaking.

"For all you know, I could be talking about a real bug," Ms. Rogers replied.

Later, after member John Manuel attempted to tell Mr. Frazier about a catering business issue he said he had some experience in, Mr. Frazier told him, "I wasn't talking to you anyway!"

Mr. Manuel soon walked out of the meeting.

Afterwards, Mr. Riles scolded authority members for acting unprofessional.

NO HIPPIES HERE: It sure was refreshing to be with folks who still sing God Bless America and mean it from the bottoms of their hearts. The Academy of Richmond County and Tubman High School Classmates of the '40s do that when they get together once a quarter in Augusta. Last Thursday was the appointed date.

It all started when Julian "Buddy" Fiske, Doug Rabun and Allen Tudor, now deceased, of the class of '43, got together for lunch about 12 years ago and had such a good time reminiscing, they decided to call others. Pretty soon, all the classmates of the '40s who were still alive and could be found were invited. About 300 attend each time they meet. They come from California, Texas, New England, just "all over the place," said Jimmy Smith, class of '45.

Jinx Christie Duke is the "boss of the works," according to Mr. Smith.

Jinx (don't you just love that name?) said the gavel (although there isn't one) fell into her hands after Mr. Rhodes asked her to help organize the get-togethers.

FROM THE OLD SCHOOL: Elizabeth Jones Haskell, 93, taught English and history at Tubman before World War II.

When asked what she remembers about her Tubman days, she said: "Everything there is to remember. I remember the study halls, 90 children. And I remember the discipline. It had been established so well there. You walked in and said, 'Girls,' and there was instant silence. That was good because I understand now the boys are rather raucous and difficult to handle, and I just think back on the days. It was a wonderful time to have discipline, and it counted back then."

She soon tired of the questions, though.

"I'm busy eating my dessert," she said.

City Ink was dismissed.

City Ink thanks Staff Writers Sandy Hodson and Kate Lewis for their contributions to this week's column.

Reach Sylvia Cooper at (706) 823-3228 or sylvia.cooper@augustachronicle.com.