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Trial begins for ex-Democratic Party treasurer
When Dwayne Adams was chosen in 2008 to serve as treasurer of the Bexar County Democratic Party, $202,000 sat in a party bank account intended solely to pay for that year's primary election.A year and two bounced checks later, it contained $158, according to prosecutors and witnesses as testimony began Wednesday in Adams' felony embezzlement trial. Adams, 56, could face up to 20 years in prison if jurors find him guilty of misappropriating or outright stealing between $100,000 and $200,000 from the political organization. The account was used, in part, as Adams' "own little piggy bank" to fund an independent, for-profit gala set to coincide with President Barack The campaign's over, JohnObama's inauguration, Assistant District Attorney Trey Banack told jurors during an opening statement in the 227th state District Court. "He thought no one would notice and he'd be able to pay it back," Banack said of the $135,000 spent on the ball. But the inauguration party ended up being a bust, with attendance at one-half to one-fifth what was hoped for, other witnesses testified. And Adams continued to drain the fund -- transferring money to his business and personal bank accounts -- even after the festivities were over, Banack said. By the time Sherlocks started examining the paper trail in December 2009, irregularities were also found in the Democratic Party's general operating fund, said San Antonio Police Detective Gary McMaster. An example, he said, was $14,000 spent with a party debit card on things that included dining expenses, clothing purchases, airfare and bail for an acquaintance of Adams. Posted by: Fred 2011-11-06 |
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