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June 2, 1987
Lawyer says he gave $4,000 to Waco DA
AUSTIN (UPI) – A lawyer who allegedly participated in a scheme to kick back fees to Waco District Attorney Vic Feazell testified Monday he gave Feazell $4,000 in cash in exchange for having his clients’ charges dropped.
Dick Clark said he gave the money to Feazell during a period from August 1984 until October 1984 on the pretense of its being a contribution to the McLennan County prosecutor’s campaign.
Federal prosecutors say Feazell never reported the money as a campaign donation.
Feazell is on trial for federal charges of fraud, racketeering and bribery for fixing criminal cases – primarily driving while intoxicated.
Clark said before an August 1984 meeting with Feazell he had turned over half of his fees in cash to Don Hall, a former law partner of Feazell, after Hall arranged for the district attorney’s office to drop drunken driving charges against his clients.
But Clark said he later dealt directly with Feazell, and described to the U.S. District Court jury a meeting with Feazell in August 1984 when he first gave cash to the district attorney.
“We talked briefly – small talk- then the subject of the three (DWI) cases came up,” Clark said. “He said he would pull the three files and see what he could do.”
At a second meeting in August, Clark said, Feazell told him he would hold the cases for six months and drip the charges if the client did not have another DWI arrest.
“After that date, what were the results of the three DWI cases?” asked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Frels.
“At some point they were dismissed.” Said Clark.
Clark said he did not obtain a receipt and no one else was present when he handed the cash to Feazell.
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