Assistant U.S. Attorney Holly K. Kulka declined to comment on the plea, saying only that the investigation into city corruption is continuing and that Free was cooperating. Free told Bassler that a month after Barnes was appointed mayor in January 1997, he used his company's American Express card to help pay for the first of 13 trips over three years. Free acknowledged financing trips to Aruba, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and London, among other places, for a city official and, on some occasions, the official's wife. Barnes has long said his trips were aimed at drumming up city business. He said the financing was nobody's business because no public money was involved.
State law requires all local government officers to file annual financial disclosure statements.
But last year he amended the forms, naming Gunite for unspecified gifts in each year. Barnes spokesman Bob Grant said that the outdoor pool at Barnes' Ridge Terrace home was not city business. In July, the FBI intensified its investigation into city business practices. It subpoenaed at least five city departments seeking contracts, records related to the mayor's private property, and records related to the mayor's travel, including appointment diaries. FBI agents also interviewed Barnes at his Ridge Terrace home regarding his relationship with United Gunite and trips he made abroad.