Former Chief of Staff Christine Beatty, left, and Kwame Kilpatrick.
Kwame Kilpatrick lawyer James C. Thomas is asking fundraiser Emma Bell’s driver if the mayor’s mistress ever received checks given by donors to the Kilpatrick Civic Fund.
Driver Angela Burris said she never saw mistress Christine Beatty collect checks collected at fundraisers for the Civic Fund. Prosecutors allege Kilpatrick treated like his personal piggy bank, spending donations on yoga classes, golf clubs, summer camp for his kids, counter-surveillance and anti-bugging equipment and more.
Thomas also questioned Burris about allegations the fundraiser carried large amounts of cash — kickbacks prosecutors allege was hand-delivered to Kilpatrick at his office.
“Did you ever see Emma Bell with large amounts of cash?” Thomas asked. “Did you ever see her hand him large amounts of cash?”
“No,” Burris said.
The lawyer also asked about allegations Bell hid money and cashier’s checks under her bed.
“What knowledge do you have of her hoarding cashier’s checks in a can under her bed?” the lawyer asked.
“If she did, she never told me,” Burris testified.
Bell testified Thursday that she stashed cash in a can and hid cashier’s checks under her mattress until sharing the money with Kilpatrick. Bell didn’t want to keep the money in the bank because she owed delinquent taxes to the IRS and state of Michigan.
Burris had dinner with Bell last night after the fundraiser spent a grueling day on the witness stand.
Thomas is reminding the jury about Bell’s drinking and gambling. He has suggested Bell didn’t pay Kilpatrick kickbacks. Instead, she blew the cash at Greektown Casino.
“Were there times (Bell) spent several hours at the casino gambling?” Thomas asked Burris.
“Yes,” she said.
“Were you aware that she had a drinking problem?” the lawyer asked.
“No,” Burris said.
“Did she ever tell you she was going to give the mayor money?” Thomas asked.
“No,” Burris said.
“Or give him a portion of her money?” Thomas asked.
“No,” the driver said.
“Did she ever gripe or complain about paying a kickback to the mayor?” Thomas asked.
“No,” Burris said.