In Bobby Ferguson's federal court fraud trial, Elizabeth Benson took the witness stand Wednesday. She explained how the rules of the Detroit Building Authority barred conflicts of interest or self-dealing.
Kwame Kilpatrick, the mayor, is her cousin. He appointed her director of the Detroit Building Authority.
She reported to Kilpatrick's girlfriend, Christine Beatty. Beatty, in turn, reported to the mayor, who was Beatty's lover.
Benson's bidding process was overseen by a board that included Anthony Adams, then Kilpatrick's deputy.
Despite all these safeguards, Berman writes, Bobby Ferguson, Kilpatrick's close buddy, wound up with a $9.9 million contract to excavate the old Herman Gardens site for a new housing project.
How could that have happened?
