Note shows “defendant’s propensity to provide false information,” say prosecutors

The letter looks to be typed and was purportedly from Bill Campbell’s late mother, explaining away thousands of dollars of cash. It starts with “My Dear Son Bill,” ends with a hand-written signature: “Mama.”

The letter dated April 16, 2004, four months before June Kay Campbell’s death, is part tear-jerker, part legalese and strikes out against prosecutors in rhetoric similar to that used by her son over the years.
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The defense team gave prosecutors the letter before the trial during an exchange of evidence. But the defense never used it during the trial. Prosecutors introduced it during a sentencing hearing this week to show the former mayor would stop at nothing, even using his dead mother, to wiggle out of the charges against him. The letter was released after Tuesday’s hearing.
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The investigation “found no evidence to support” the claim of the cash from his mother, Yates told the judge. The letter was just another instance of the “defendant’s propensity to provide false information.”

If true, Yates said, Campbell would have taken about half of his mother’s income over a two-year period.

Yates said Campbell’s three siblings were interviewed by an investigator and all denied knowing anything about cash payments to Campbell from his mother.

Lead Campbell defense attorney Billy Martin told the judge that Yates’ comments were “outrageous. They are now using the term ‘took’ from his mother.”

“The mother was giving four of her children cash and checks over time,” said Martin. “This was not a one time gift.”

“It’s not for them to say his mother is so poor she can’t afford to give her son $20,000,” Martin added.
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