Deposition transcripts reveal further corruption from former Detroit Treasurer
Detroit, Michigan, the once-booming industrial metropolis, has experienced some adversity since the recent recessions. With bankruptcy on the verge and political corruption still being resolved, lawyers are surely busy dissecting deposition transcripts and preparing for hearings. But, a recent deposition may add more to the already complex state of legal affairs in the city.
Donald Watkins, an Alabama businessman, was approached by a fraternity brother of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick named Jeffrey Beasley at a casino. Beasley attempted to "shake him down" for $100,000 in cash, saying that he could use the money to help support Kilpatrick's defense fund.
Beasley is also the former Detroit Treasurer under Kilpatrick's administration. He is currently facing criminal charges due to his involvement with a pension fraud scheme that resulted in $84 million in losses from the city in 2008.
"I shut it down," Watkins said in his deposition transcripts, reported by the Detroit Free Press. "I had fought off all of the other requests for pay for play, but this one took it to a level that I just found to be offensive."
In addition, Watkins said in his deposition that the dialogue occurred at an MGM Grand in Detroit in 2008. Watkins, during this time, was also working toward gaining a $15 million loan from the city's pension funds, which Beasley also stated he could help him with considering he was the board for pension funds.
Watkins' deposition surely increases the complexity of Beasley's ongoing charges. The former treasurer currently faces charges that accuse him of taking bribes and kickbacks during his pension fraud scheme. These bribes, according to the source, have come in a number of different forms besides cash.
As these cases can take years to resolve and often involve lengthy depositions and hearings, lawyers in the Midwest may want to partner with Madison court reporters that offer video deposition services to ensure they get the most accurate deposition transcripts.
