In addition to testimony jurors have heard over the past two weeks, they have a mountain of documents available for review: phone records, texts, records of donations and payments from various lobbying organizations, and a forensic analysis of those expenditures.
Debra Hale-Shelton
Debra Hale-Shelton reports for the Arkansas Times. She has previously worked for The Associated Press and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. A Marked Treean by birth, a Chicagoan by choice, she now lives in Conway.
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In testimony, lobbyists and former UCA president reveal reach of political fundraiser now on trial for bribery
The prosecutor asked Parks, a lobbyist, if he was aware that “straw” campaign contributions were illegal. He said he was. Was he aware that his action, specifically, was illegal? “Certainly it wasn’t one of my better decisions,” he said.
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Former judge, now serving prison time, testifies in bribery trial of alleged co-conspirator
Escorted by federal marshals, Maggio entered the courtroom Wednesday in shackles, but at Judge Marshall’s suggestion, they were removed. He wore a black T-shirt and trousers, a gray beard, a black mask, and the same outgoing, chatty personality he was long known for in Conway.
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State Supreme Court Justice takes witness stand in federal bribery trial of Conway lobbyist
Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Wood testified Tuesday that she never talked with former Circuit Judge Michael Maggio about his decision to alter a jury’s award in a nursing home negligence case in 2013 — a ruling that led to Maggio’s imprisonment and to federal bribery charges against former lobbyist Gilbert Baker.
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Juror sent home with COVID, but political bribery trial moves forward
Both attorneys’ narratives and questioning of the first witnesses suggested Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Wood’s name will become an integral part of both the case for Baker and the case against him.
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‘Breaking Bad’ at Henderson State
In November 2019, two chemistry professors at Henderson State University were arrested for allegedly producing methamphetamine on campus. Documents suggest the trouble may have started much earlier.
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State supreme court justice and former U.S. attorney on witness list as bribery trial begins
Should former U.S. Attorney Cody Hiland testify, he could be cross-examined by either of two assistant U.S. attorneys he formerly supervised, Patrick Harris and Julie Peters.
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Jury instructions in upcoming trial of former lobbyist hint at high-profile witness list
Federal prosecutors have agreed not to charge certain witnesses who testify against former lobbyist Gilbert Baker in his bribery and wire fraud trial starting next month, a federal judge has disclosed.