DALLAS (AP) _ An FBI agent has testified in the Dallas City Hall corruption trial that the investigation began with allegations that associates of a top city official were trying to solicit bribes from a developer.
The testimony yesterday centered on developer James R. “Bill” Fisher, who became a key witness in the government’s case against former Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill and others after he agreed to become an informant.
The prosecution said Monday that black leaders solicited bribes from white developers, with black leaders saying it was time for the white developers to pay.
In a wiretapped phone call, defendant Darren Reagan discusses how white developers had become wealthy off southern Dallas projects but that the game has changed.
FBI Special Agent Allen Wilson testified he questioned Fisher about his relationship with J.L. Security, a firm owned by then-City Council member James Fantroy.
It’s unclear whether the FBI began looking at the Fantroy-Fisher connection after former Mayor Laura Miller aired the apparent conflict of interest publicly or if they were tipped off before.
She is expected to testify in the current case.