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Travel Contract Trial: Defense To Start Case Thursday

Prosecutors Rested Their Case On Wednesday

Updated: 9:07 am CDT June 8, 2006

Federal prosecutors rested their case on Wednesday afternoon against a state government worker accused of rigging the bidding process for a major travel contract.

Prosecutors used three days of testimony in federal court in Milwaukee to try to show that Georgia Thompson, a Wisconsin Department of Administration purchasing official, should be found guilty on two counts of fraud.

Prosecutors allege that Thompson illegally steered a $750,000 contract to book travel for state employees to Adelman Travel Group because of pressure from her bosses. They introduced evidence showing close ties between the company and Gov. Jim Doyle and his aides. That company's executives donated to Gov. Jim Doyle's campaign.

The contract would have involved booking up to 40 percent of state travel.

But an FBI agent acknowledged on Wednesday that prosecutors could find no evidence showing Thompson was aware of political contributions Adelman made to Doyle or any other ties between the administration and the firm.

Prosecutors have said that Adelman executives donated to Doyle's re-election campaign. CEO Craig Adelman donated $3,000 to Doyle's campaign before and $7,000 after his firm landed the contract. Adelman board member Mitchell Fromstein gave another $10,000 shortly after the contract was awarded.

Thompson's defense is expected to begin Thursday morning. Her lawyer is expected to call witnesses to testify that she followed the proper procedures and was insulated from political pressures as a civil servant.

Thompson, 56, has pleaded not guilty to fraud charges. If convicted, she faces 20 years in prison.

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