Subject:  Fieger sole witness in his criminal case |
Author:
Chris
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 05/22/08 6:40pm
In reply to:
Diane
's message, "Fiegers' Trial Tomorrow ????" on 04/13/08 6:44pm
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Fieger sole witness in his criminal case
Doug Guthrie / The Detroit News
DETROIT -- The defense rested today at the conclusion of Geoffrey Fieger's testimony as the only witness presented to rebut charges leveled by federal prosecutors alleging Fieger and his Southfield law partner Vernon "Ven" Johnson violated campaign contribution laws.
The government accused Fieger of concocting a scheme that encouraged employees, friends and their relatives to make $2,000 maximum individual contributions to Democrat John Edwards' 2004 presidential campaign, and then the firm reimbursed the donors. The contributions totaled $127,000. They also are charged with obstruction of justice, a 10-year felony.
His lawyers have argued that to convict, the prosecution must prove Fieger knew he was breaking the law with the arrangement. On the witness stand for a third day of questioning today, Fieger insisted that he still believes the practice is legal and that his prosecution was the result of a Bush administration effort to target Democrats.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lynn Helland cross-examined Fieger today while showing a highlighted copy of a federal law on a projection screen. The highlighted portions said: "It is unlawful... for any corporation whatever... to make a contribution ... in connection with any primary election."
Fieger said the contributions were made by others with their own funds and Fieger rewarded them with "bonuses" that covered the expense. Fieger likened the arrangement to an employee asking for a pay bonus to help cover the cost of a recently purchased refrigerator.
"I later can't claim it's my refrigerator. If I tried to take it, I'd be arrested," Fieger testified.
Helland pointed out one $2,000 donation came from a Fieger mailroom employee who earned $1,100 every two weeks.
Helland asked Fieger," So you are saying you could do this with hundreds of people? A person like Bill Gates could do this with millions of people?"
"They do it every day and if you do it for the president you get appointed an ambassador," Fieger responded.
U.S. District Judge Paul D. Borman gave jurors the long holiday weekend off and ordered them to return on Tuesday morning to hear what are expected to be day-long summaries of the 18-day trial by the prosecution and defense lawyers. The jury is expected to begin deliberations Wednesday morning.
Fieger rose to prominence in the 1990s as suicide advocate Dr. Jack Kevorkian's lawyer. Fieger now is a millionaire and leader of a firm that specializes in personal injury lawsuits. He made an unsuccessful run as a Democrat in 1998 to unseat Gov. John Engler.
You can reach Doug Guthrie at (313) 222-2548 or dguthrie@detnews.com.
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
