Philip takes stand, denies trading jobs for donations
By Shamus Toomey Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted March 06, 2003

A composed James "Pate" Philip reluctantly took the stand for the defense in the Scott Fawell corruption trial Wednesday and, despite struggling with his memory at times, vehemently denied ever trading state jobs or contracts for campaign contributions.

The former state Senate president, the rock of suburban GOP politics for years, withstood a combative cross-examination that included a prosecutor reading transcripts of secret recordings of Philip made by a government mole.

The cross-examination revealed that FBI agents investigating the licenses for bribes scandal that has engulfed Fawell and his mentor, former Gov. George Ryan, interviewed Philip at his home in March 2001. But Philip insisted he is not a target of their probe.

Prosecutors won't say if Philip is a target but did hint Wednesday that they have up to five recordings of Philip. One is of a conversation in which Fawell pal Larry Hall asks Philip to get his sister a job, Collins said. The request comes just after Hall talks about buying campaign fund-raising tickets from Philip.

But throughout his hour on the stand, Philip denied any quid pro quo for the help he dished out.

"We don't do those things," he said. "We don't operate that way."

The appearance of the 72-year-old, white-haired Wood Dale powerhouse, who has been in the General Assembly since 1967, created a stir in the Loop federal courthouse as reporters and onlookers packed a courtroom to watch his testimony. He was the most prominent witness yet in the seven-week trial, which goes into closing arguments today and could be over next week.

The ex-Marine's lawyer had tried to block Fawell's attorneys from calling him as a witness, but the judge ruled his testimony was relevant because it could undermine Hall's testimony from last week.

Hall, a former secretary of state worker, testified he told Philip in 1996 that 4-digit license plates were being sold to benefit Philip's campaign. Hall also claimed Philip once helped a suburban woman keep a state office lease after she donated to Philip's campaign.

Philip had trouble recalling the specifics of Hall's claims, but denied ever promising anything in return for campaign cash. He also said he never knew Hall was selling license plates for him.

Philip downplayed his relationship with Hall, a convicted bribe-taker who testified under a plea bargain with prosecutors.

"He was a name dropper," Philip said. "He was a big talker. He promised everything and he didn't deliver if you ask me."

Philip told reporters outside court that he "didn't like the guy the first time I met him." He said he thinks Hall was trying to trap him.

"He was trying to save his own ass," Philip said.

On cross-examination, lead prosecutor Patrick Collins read from transcripts of two of the recordings made by Hall. Collins asked Philip if he would be surprised to hear the government knew he had spoken with Hall five times in recent years.

When Philip repeatedly denied wrongdoing, Collins raised his voice and angrily questioned Philip, often sarcastically. In one case, he mocked Philip's assertion that he didn't remember helping the woman retain her lease. In the transcript, Philip is quoted as saying "OK" when Hall reminded him of his help for the woman.

"So when you said ‘OK,' what you really meant is, ‘I don't remember her?' " Collins asked.

Collins also questioned Philip about a controversial 50th high school reunion held for him and his classmates at Navy Pier in 1999. Fawell ran the state agency that oversaw the pier at the time and arranged for $15,000 worth of party treats such as food and a band. Philip said he never asked for anything more than a tour, and Fawell surprised him with the party.

But Philip acknowledged he never asked for or received a bill until 2002 -- after a newspaper exposed the deal. Philip then paid the bill out of his campaign fund.

"You got a freebie from Mr. Fawell, didn't you?" Collins asked.

"It would appear that way," Philip replied.

Philip said on the stand that he is in the process of retiring now that Democrats control the Senate, but said he's had trouble picking a successor people can agree on.

As he left the courthouse, Philip didn't deny helping people during his run in office, nor did he deny that the help benefited him.

"When you help people, people tend to help you," he said. "It's been going on forever."