Campbell’s attorneys file for dismissal of conviction

Published 1:10 pm Wednesday, March 22, 2006

ATLANTA — Attorneys for former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell have filed a motion seeking to dismiss his conviction for tax evasion.

The motion was filed with U.S. District Judge Richard Story.

A federal jury found Campbell guilty earlier this month of tax evasion, but cleared him of charges he lined his pockets with payoffs as he guided Atlanta through a period of robust development in the 1990s.

Campbell could get up to nine years in prison and $300,000 in fines. However, legal experts have said it’s doubtful he will get the maximum sentence.

Campbell served two terms as mayor from 1994 to 2002, guiding Atlanta through one of the most prosperous periods in its history. He was mayor when Atlanta had its moment on the world stage as host of the 1996 Olympics, and also presided over the construction of Philips Arena.

He was indicted two years after leaving office, snared in a federal corruption probe that has led to the convictions of 10 other former city officials and contractors.