Rolling out the red carpet

Scholl is still cross-examining McNeil. Through the audio tapes he's choosing to show us, we learn that after numerous attempts to meet, the FBI decides to go another route - The Black Film Festival. This is happening down in Miami.

"C'mon down and take break," says McNeil in the May 20,2004 phone conversation. "Got a conference down there..."

The conference is actually the Film Festival and McNeil invites him down to check it out. This has nothing to do with E-Cycle, but to do with one of McNeil's make-believe movie ventures.

The trip is happening in mid-July.

Unlike the business meetings, Ford does show up for this event and is given the red carpet treatment. McNeil and Tim Willis pick him up in a limo at the airport, have him stay in the Ocean Hotel (located in South Beach on Ocean Drive), and they a good time on the yacht. McNeil doesn't introduce the yacht as Joe Carson's, but as a "friend's yacht". They also cruise around in a Hummer and attend a fancy party.

Based on the conversations on July 15, 2004, the party seems to be the main event of the trip. There's going to be good drinks and good women. McNeil and Willis play it up by making a few calls while Ford is in the car with them.

"Hey Patty, how you doing? The weather is beautiful down here, but not as beautiful as you," says Tim Willis during the recording. Willis proceeds to invite Patty to the party.

"You going to be able to hang, Senator?"

"Hell yeah."

Ford has a great time and after weeks of trying to get him to meet with them the connection is made. Ford's not going to forget McNeil after this - even though there was no mention of E-Cycle.