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American Morning

Discussion with Defense Attorney Johnnie Cochran

Aired December 13, 2001 - 08:26   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's turn away from the war for a couple of minutes to a story of the season. To whom much is given, much is required. Well, that has been a guiding principle throughout Johnnie Cochran's legal career, his journey to justice.

Well, today the renowned attorney and his Stay Strong Foundation for Kids are teaming up with Toys R Us to deliver presents to needy kids in Harlem. Johnnie Cochran, Santa's helper, joins me now. How are you? Happy holidays.

JOHNNIE COCHRAN, ATTORNEY: I am doing great. Happy holidays to you, Paula. It's good seeing you.

ZAHN: Thank you. Tell me a little bit about these kids that you're helping out.

COCHRAN: That's wonderful. We've got probably more than 600 kids who are going to be up at the Apollo -- the historic Apollo Theater today, between 3:00 and 5:00. We've partnered up with Toys R Us and some other institutions. We're going to give toys to all of these kids. We're going to have two hours of just, you know, giving back to these kids.

You know, in New York, you know, the season is about giving, of course, and all around the country it should be. But especially here, because of 9/11, and we're going to try to say something to these kids and say, look, this is the season, this is for you, a little to reflect and to hopefully to bring a little bit of happiness and joy to them.

ZAHN: Now, there is an awful lot you're also doing in that whole area. You are now heading up a foundation. I guess it's the Empowerment Zone group.

COCHRAN: Yes, it's the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, yes.

ZAHN: And there's -- what -- a $300 million...

COCHRAN: Budget -- yes.

ZAHN: ... grant that you have available?

COCHRAN: Yes, it's Charles Rangel's Empowerment Zone, as it were. You know, it's a congressional thing. It's a creature of the city, county, state, federal, and we grant loans and things to new businesses. Really, it's an effort to rebuild Harlem, the way it should be, you know. And (UNINTELLIGIBLE) New York, that's the one area that's not built up like it should be.

So it's kind of, again, you know, as you said, to whom much is given, much is required. And then, you have an obligation to put things back, and we're trying to do that.

ZAHN: But as you know, critics are saying that, in fact, what this grant is doing is in essence really helping the big businesses and hurting the little businesses, many of whom have been driven off the street.

COCHRAN: Well, we've heard that (UNINTELLIGIBLE). You know, we're just starting -- our administration is just starting -- will start in January. But I think that we'll look at that clearly. I mean, you want to help the little business person, the mom and pops, where that's possible. But you've got to have a combination it seems, a blend of both of those things. And I think there's a new project. We have $100 million project now with Home Depot coming into East Harlem.

So you've got to have a combination of both, I think. You want to -- in the end of the day, you want to add jobs and add businesses there, and I think we can do that. I think there's a real resolve. It's a great board of directors.

And I'm succeeding Dick Parsons, who is now, you know, the head of...

ZAHN: Our big cheese here.

(CROSSTALK)

COCHRAN: ... our big guy, you know, and he's a wonderful guy. And it's a great opportunity, and I'm really excited about it.

ZAHN: Let's talk a little bit more about development in the area.

COCHRAN: Sure.

ZAHN: There was also great criticism sent towards Bill Clinton when he made his decision to give up his penthouse on 57th Street...

COCHRAN: Yes.

ZAHN: ... and the lip that went along with it, to create his hometown office in Harlem. And as you know, the small business people were saying they didn't think that was necessarily going to help them. In the end, have you seen any increase in business as a result of President Clinton moving his offices there?

COCHRAN: I think it has evolved. I think there's a chance, and I think it's going to get better, I really do. I think that there was some concern that rents would go up and the smaller business would be (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and that sort of thing. But I think his presence there is a positive factor, and for other businesses that want to come. And I really do think in the end of the day here, Paula, Harlem is going to be a combination of large businesses and hopefully the survival of the smaller businesses.

I was up there last night at a wonderful restaurant, Spoon Red Too (ph), and they had an opening -- kind of grand opening, and it was an assisted business by the Empowerment Zone. And it's a marvelous business and a small business right there in Harlem, and I think you're going to see more and more of that, and I'm encouraged by that. And I think Bill Clinton's presence can be helpful to the larger businesses to come there also.

ZAHN: You're not practicing criminal law anymore. Now, you're doing personal injury cases.

COCHRAN: Absolutely.

ZAHN: What is it? I have spoken with defense attorneys who said after, you know, 20-30 years of doing it, they just couldn't do it anymore.

COCHRAN: I think I'm just, you know, transitioned out. You know, I represented Mr. Combs, Puffy Combs earlier this year, and after his acquittal, I said that was the last case I was going to handle. I think, as I've said on a couple of times, Paula, when I started representing the grandchildren of the grandfathers that I used to represent, that I knew it was time to get out.

ZAHN: Spoken with O.J. lately?

COCHRAN: I haven't talked to him lately, but...

ZAHN: He's gotten himself into a little bit of trouble there.

COCHRAN: I think he needs to be very careful these days, yes, I've got to tell you.

ZAHN: All right. Good luck to you later this afternoon. Thank you again for spending some time with us this morning.

(CROSSTALK)

COCHRAN: It's always good seeing you.

ZAHN: Thanks -- Johnnie Cochran.

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