Michael Dell To Testify In Person In New Orleans Case
An Orleans Parish judge Monday ordered Michael Dell, CEO of computer maker Dell, to appear in court and give testimony about his knowledge concerning the deal with the city of New Orleans, the Times-Picayune reported.
Attorneys with Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann, legal counsel for Dell, tried to convince Judge Rose Ledet to allow Michael Dell's testimony to be limited to one hour and be delivered by phone. Ledet ruled that Dell's testimony would have a three-hour limit and would have to be delivered in person.
Dell's deposition will happen sometime within the next 60 days.
According to the Austin Business Journal, the Round Rock, Texas-based computer manufacturer is being accused of unfair business practices and selling cameras to the state of Louisiana under a contract that did not provide for the sale of that equipment. Southern Electronics and Active Solutions, the plaintiffs in the case, had previously provided the state with camera hardware. The plaintiffs allege that Dell, a former New Orleans city technology chief and contractors all conspired to steal their business model.
It was also revealed on Monday that a Dell official gave an affidavit saying that Michael Dell met with New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin in 2004. Scott Campbell, Dell vice president for K-12 sales, said Dell and Nagin only discussed equipment for public schools at that time. Nagin, meanwhile, testified that he had no memory of meeting with Michael Dell.
The time line is important because Dell did not begin selling cameras until 2006 and, according to testimony from State Purchasing Director Denise Lea, Dell was not allowed to sell cameras under its contract before 2006, according to the Times-Picayune.
Michael Dell's involvement in the case appears to have become a foregone conclusion when court documents showed that he was briefed about his company's involvement with the city of New Orleans before the 2004 meeting with Nagin.
