Corruption Trial Enters Final Phase

As the political corruption trial of former Compton Mayor Omar Bradley and four others entered its final phase Thursday, prosecutors accused the defendants of acting “cowardly” and using Compton’s treasury as their “personal bank account.”

Deputy Dist. Atty. Kerry White, during closing arguments, rejected claims that much of the defendants’ use of city-issued credit cards, including Bradley’s golf games and clothing bills, was justified because it related to city business.

“What did the residents of the city of Compton get?” White asked jurors. “They got nothing, and were left to pay the extravagant tab of these defendants.”

The prosecution’s closing arguments culminate nearly three months of testimony and are expected to finish by Monday.

They have portrayed Bradley as an arrogant mayor who believed he controlled the city’s assets and did not need anyone’s authorization to spend public funds.

“The principle here is that you don’t go into public office to enrich yourself ... and if you do, you’re going to have a county grand jury or district attorney looking at your actions,” Deputy Dist. Atty. Terry Bork said.

Bradley’s attorney, Ben Pesta, who is scheduled to give his closing argument early next week, said after the hearing that prosecutors had not proved their case, and that Bradley had not abused his power as mayor.

“We can account for every expense,” Pesta said.

Bradley is charged with misusing public funds by allegedly using his city-issued credit cards for personal expenses and double billing the city. Also charged is former City Manager John Johnson, former council members Amen Rahh and Delores Zurita and current Councilwoman Yvonne Arceneaux. All except Johnson have taken the witness stand.

Bradley, who billed the city for cigars, golf rounds and clothing, and Rahh, who billed for in-room movies and meals, said the expenses were legally incurred during travel or discussion of city business. Bradley testified this month that he golfed with other city officials to discuss charity fundraising and promote Compton.

White told jurors Thursday that “common sense tells us that it is not necessary to have a meeting on the golf course.”

Prosecutors said some of the defendants’ expenses appeared to be for decent causes. Rahh, for instance, let his credit card be used by a friend to rent a car after her car was repossessed.

Prosecutors at one point called some of the defendants “good people.” But their actions, Bork said, still constituted a criminal misuse of public funds.

Prosecutors also tried to undermine defense claims that much of the funds were reimbursed, citing the judge’s ruling that restitution was not a valid defense. Prosecutors also cited the testimony of a council aide, who said Bradley’s wife had not given her a cash reimbursement for some of the funds in question.

Bradley and other defendants had pointed blame at the aide, suggesting that she did not keep proper records and did not keep them informed of their credit card use.

White said the defendants were “cowardly” for blaming their own actions on a “loyal, longtime” employee.