Stan Wright Trial entering fourth day

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The jury is expected to get the case Friday in the corruption trial of Bayou La Batre Mayor Stan Wright.

On Thursday, February 28, a federal judge threw out three money laundering counts against Wright.

The charges were related to money the city paid to Wright's daughter for property she sold to a federally funded housing subdivision in 2007.

The trial is going on in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Kristi DuBose.

THE CHARGES

Wright is facing corruption and intimidation charges after federal officials accused him of using his daughter to funnel thousands of dollars of federal money meant for victims of Hurricane Katrina into his personal bank account.

He is also facing allegations he retaliated against then Bayou La Batre Police Captain Darryl Wilson after learning Wilson was cooperating with FBI investigators.

ON THE WITNESS STAND

There were more than a half-dozen witnesses for the prosecution Thursday, including Marcia Stork.

Stork is the Chairwoman of the Bayou La Batre Housing Authority.

She testified that the Authority used FEMA money to reimburse expenses incurred by Galbraith and Associates, a private company the board hired to manage a federally funded housing subdivision.

Stork said Galbraith and Associates were hired at the mayor's insistence.

FORMER POLICE CHIEF TESTIFIES

Also testifying Thursday was former Bayou La Batre Police Chief John Joyner.

Joyner testified that, before learning of an FBI investigation into possible corruption in Bayou La Batre in early 2011, Wright praised the work done by Captain Wilson.

But, Joyner testified the mayor told him in March of 2011 that Captain Wilson was after him, and later learned that Wright demanded Wilson stop working with a federal drug task force, and also return his city owned SUV.

Joyner testified he retired a short time later because he didn't want to be a part of what was happening.

WHAT'S AHEAD

Wright still faces four counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States.