News / National
Mugabe ready to testify in US court
17 Sep 2014 at 17:09hrs | Views
LAWYERS for a Chicago man charged with illegally lobbying US officials on behalf of President Robert Mugabe told a federal judge Wednesday that the Zimbabwean leader has indicated he's willing to sit for a videotaped deposition when he's in New York for a United Nations conference next week.
C. Gregory Turner, 71, faces trial on charges he tried to persuade U.S. government officials - including an Illinois state senator and two U.S. representatives from Chicago - to push for the lifting of sanctions imposed in 2003 on Mugabe and other top Zimbabwe government officials.
His attorneys told U.S. District Judge Elaine Bucklo that they have had behind-the-scenes negotiations with representatives of Mugabe who have indicated he would be willing to give a deposition when he attends the U.N. summit Sept. 23-24.
The deposition is necessary because Mugabe is "absolutely central" to the allegations against Turner, his attorneys said in a previous court filing. But as a foreigner, Mugabe is not subject to the subpoena powers of the federal court.
"One of the primary bases for the government's prosecution of Mr. Turner in this case is its allegation that Mr. Turner specifically acted for and at the direction of Mr. Mugabe," the filing said.
"…If the government is truly interested in the pursuit of justice, it should welcome Mr. Mugabe's videotaped testimony."
Bucklo has asked Turner's lawyers for more information on Mugabe's willingness to sit for the deposition before deciding whether to allow it. The case is due in court again this afternoon.
Federal prosecutors have said if Mugabe's testimony is so crucial then he should take the stand at trial. In a witness list filed Tuesday morning, prosecutors said they intend to call several politicians, including former state Sen. Donne Trotter and former U.S. Sen. Roland Burris.
The charges brought by federal prosecutors in Chicago allege Turner and co-defendant Prince Asiel Ben Israel had reached a consulting deal with the Zimbabwe officials to be paid $3.4 million for their efforts.
Prosecutors allege the two told Zimbabwe officials in November 2008 that they knew many politicians with close ties to then-President-elect Barack Obama.
The charges do not name any of the politicians, but details included in the charges made it clear that among the lawmakers the two dealt with were Trotter as well as U.S. Reps. Danny Davis and Bobby Rush, both Chicago Democrats. None of the public officials was accused of wrongdoing.
Ben Israel and Turner were successful in arranging for the state senator and several other lawmakers to meet with Mugabe and other top Zimbabwe officials during several trips there in 2008 and 2009, according to the charges.
The two U.S. representatives participated in numerous meetings about the lobbying effort and also sponsored a failed 2010 House resolution to end the sanctions against Zimbabwe.
Turner's attorneys have argued that the contract was fraudulent and that the signature of the Mugabe underling who purportedly approved the deal appears to be forged.
Ben Israel, 72, a well-known South Side activist and restaurateur, pleaded guilty in April and was sentenced to 7 months in prison.
Turner's trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 29.
C. Gregory Turner, 71, faces trial on charges he tried to persuade U.S. government officials - including an Illinois state senator and two U.S. representatives from Chicago - to push for the lifting of sanctions imposed in 2003 on Mugabe and other top Zimbabwe government officials.
His attorneys told U.S. District Judge Elaine Bucklo that they have had behind-the-scenes negotiations with representatives of Mugabe who have indicated he would be willing to give a deposition when he attends the U.N. summit Sept. 23-24.
The deposition is necessary because Mugabe is "absolutely central" to the allegations against Turner, his attorneys said in a previous court filing. But as a foreigner, Mugabe is not subject to the subpoena powers of the federal court.
"One of the primary bases for the government's prosecution of Mr. Turner in this case is its allegation that Mr. Turner specifically acted for and at the direction of Mr. Mugabe," the filing said.
"…If the government is truly interested in the pursuit of justice, it should welcome Mr. Mugabe's videotaped testimony."
Bucklo has asked Turner's lawyers for more information on Mugabe's willingness to sit for the deposition before deciding whether to allow it. The case is due in court again this afternoon.
Federal prosecutors have said if Mugabe's testimony is so crucial then he should take the stand at trial. In a witness list filed Tuesday morning, prosecutors said they intend to call several politicians, including former state Sen. Donne Trotter and former U.S. Sen. Roland Burris.
Prosecutors allege the two told Zimbabwe officials in November 2008 that they knew many politicians with close ties to then-President-elect Barack Obama.
The charges do not name any of the politicians, but details included in the charges made it clear that among the lawmakers the two dealt with were Trotter as well as U.S. Reps. Danny Davis and Bobby Rush, both Chicago Democrats. None of the public officials was accused of wrongdoing.
Ben Israel and Turner were successful in arranging for the state senator and several other lawmakers to meet with Mugabe and other top Zimbabwe officials during several trips there in 2008 and 2009, according to the charges.
The two U.S. representatives participated in numerous meetings about the lobbying effort and also sponsored a failed 2010 House resolution to end the sanctions against Zimbabwe.
Turner's attorneys have argued that the contract was fraudulent and that the signature of the Mugabe underling who purportedly approved the deal appears to be forged.
Ben Israel, 72, a well-known South Side activist and restaurateur, pleaded guilty in April and was sentenced to 7 months in prison.
Turner's trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 29.
Source - Chicago Tribune
