What is former mayor Bill Campbell up to today? (Atlanta: appointed, lawyer)

[no kudzu]

I live in N.C. where Bill's brother Ralph just died. He was a highly respected figure in civil rights and auditor in N.C. I googled Bill Campbell and read all about his prison sentence (I lived in Atlanta then) and his move to FLA but no idea where he lives and what he is doing now. Anybody know?

[waronxmas]

Originally Posted by no kudzu

I live in N.C. where Bill's brother Ralph just died. He was a highly respected figure in civil rights and auditor in N.C. I googled Bill Campbell and read all about his prison sentence (I lived in Atlanta then) and his move to FLA but no idea where he lives and what he is doing now. Anybody know?

Hopefully under a rock somewhere.

[arjay57]

I'm not defending the conduct that sent Campbell to prison but there's no doubt that he's a really smart guy who could still contribute a lot to society. I knew him and liked him. He's only in his 50s so I hope he'll find a place where he can contribute.

[Caleb Longstreet]

Originally Posted by arjay57

I'm not defending the conduct that sent Campbell to prison but there's no doubt that he's a really smart guy who could still contribute a lot to society. I knew him and liked him. He's only in his 50s so I hope he'll find a place where he can contribute.

Nice sentiment but, like all criminals, don't let him off that easy....it reminds me of the passages I am reading regarding Charlie Wilson in the book, Charlie's War. Within the book are passages referring to his antics while getting appointed to the lifetime post at the Kennedy Center. Tip O'Neill wanted someone like Charlie to deflect the issues of the day namely; ABSCAM

Remember that???? That was the government sting that landed quite a few crooked Congressman, mostly Democrats by the way, in jail for taking bribes by an undercover FBI agent playing the role of an Arab Sheik.

One was so crooked that he basically was caught saying "I was born with larceny in my heart"....pretty tough considering the possible consequences. Well, as luck would have it, one John Murtha was quoted as saying: "No, not now, but I may change my mind in the future".....for me and you on a car lot saying as much, not a big deal.

For a sitting Congressman? Whoa.....now tell me again, why was Murtha such a disgrace? You can't even blame Hannity for that though many try. He's a bad guy. Period. Anywho, Tip used Charley to help deflect the inevitable blows Murtha was about to endure....it worked.....don't give Campbell a way out either.

Believe me, the US Justice system wouldn't give you that much of a pass. Why him?

If I recall correctly, the bad guy who turned states evidence on Campbell was quoted as saying, "watch, he'll never take his hands out of his pocket" in reference to Campbell immediately after he received a $10,000 bribe for some such favorable contract decision. He stuffed his pockets with the money and never let go.....greed had no bounds....

Watergate, Abscam, Campbellgate, whatever.....to let them out easy now is an incredible abuse of the public trust. Hold them to a higher standard. The pension benefits alone should make you want to do that.

Hey, while it's true Nixon never spent a night in jail, he was ultimately disgraced into the grave. We as the public never let him off the ropes. Nor, should he. However, at least in Nixon's case, he did get China to talk and bombed the shiite out of whomever necessary to bring the Vietnamese back to the "peace accords" in the Christmas of 73. For that, we should all be grateful.

Campbell? Well, he was just a dime store crook. He never did all that much and no one cared all that much either way if he had.

Footnote should end here. We all deserve better.

[arjay57]

Well, I definitely wouldn't want him back as mayor or Chancellor of the Public Exchequer. But Campbell's a smart, educated guy and there's a lot of stuff that needs to be done in this world. He might even find his mission somewhere outside the US.

[no kudzu]

But back to my OP. Where is he now and how is he making a living? Wasn't he disbarred? He's a relatively young man. My interests lie in how somebody so disgraced can go on making a living. I assume he is no longer in Atlanta but I wonder where he is. Who would hire him?

[K'ledgeBldr]

Originally Posted by no kudzu

But back to my OP.

Does anybody really care? Even for triva-night?

[arjay57]

The State Bar shows Campbell was disbarred in 2007.

However, Campbell is also listed as having an email address at Willie Gary's firm in Florida. He could be a paralegal or an investigator or something like that.

Gary is an immensely successful lawyer who grew up as a migrant worker and one of 11 children in rural South Georgia. He is incredble success story and ought to be a beacon for African American kids (as well as all kids) for what hard work can do. If Campbell is working there he's probably doing fine.


Lawyers for Personal Injury | The Gary Law Group

[JPD]

I'm just glad he's no longer lying straight to my face, in person, one on one.

[tonygeorgia]

People diss him but praise Bush