By BJ Austin, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-853633.mp3
Dallas, TX –
Former Dallas Mayor Laura Miller returns to the stand this morning in the bribery and extortion trial of former Councilman Don Hill and four associates. KERA's BJ Austin says the former Mayor is answering questions about her support of housing developer Brian Potashnik - who cut a deal with prosecutors in this case.
Laura Miller says she told housing developer Brian Potashnik to go to the FBI with complaints he was being pressured by Council members as he worked to get approval of his projects. Miller told jurors she thought Brian and Cheryl Potashnik were great developers. But she said she believed Bill Fisher, Potashnik's chief competitor was doing something unethical to get contracts with the city - including a security contract with Councilman James Fantroy.It was ultimately FISHER who turned FBI informant. Potashnik was indicted with Hill and the others.
Questions about creation of an Ethics Commission while Miller was Mayor included an audio tape on which jurors heard Don Hill speaking against it, saying it was much ado about nothing.
Outside the courthouse, defense attorney Ray Jackson dismissed that line of questioning.
Jackson: This is not an ethics case, this is a federal case. So at some point, we're hoping that the government is going to present arguments, or some evidence, regarding this federal case.
The government says Hill and the others sought cash and contracts from Potashnik in return for favorable votes on the City Plan Commission and City Council. Defense attorneys questioned Miller about thousands in campaign contributions she received from Potashnik, and her vocal support of his projects.