By WOODY BAIRD
Associated Press Writer
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - For years, John Ford was one of Tennessee's most powerful state senators, as well as a member of one of the state's most politically active families. The former lawmaker could now face prison time if convicted in a bribery and extortion trial starting Monday.
His trial is expected to be the most insightful courtroom drama so far in the FBI's statewide corruption investigation, code-named Tennessee Waltz after one of the official state songs.
Ford, 64, is one of five current or former state lawmakers charged in the investigation. He is accused of taking $55,000 in bribes from E-Cycle Management, which supposedly was in the business of buying and reselling used government computers.
The jury being chosen this week will hear several secretly recorded tapes of Ford's conversations with undercover agents and see at least two video clips showing him stuffing his pockets with cash.
Ford, a Democrat who represented his Memphis district for 31 years, is part of a black political dynasty. His nephew is Harold Ford Jr., a former congressman and U.S. Senate candidate; his brother is Harold Ford Sr., who represented Memphis in the U.S. House for 22 years.
Ford and his lawyer, Michael Scholl, have refused to discuss defense strategy, but Ford is expected to argue he was a business consultant for E-Cycle who was paid for his legislative advice.
The tapes record Ford helping write proposed legislation that would have given E-Cycle a nearly exclusive shot at buying used computers and other electronic equipment from state agencies and local governments across Tennessee.
``Now you got to be creative,'' Ford says, boasting about his ability to tailor legislation for his friends.
Ford began working with E-Cycle in 2004 and was indicted the following year. He resigned from the Senate two days later.
He dealt mainly with an FBI agent identified publicly using the undercover name L.C. McNiel. McNiel is shown on at least two videotapes handing money to Ford. In one recording, sitting across a desk from Ford, McNiel slowly counts out what the government says is $10,000.
McNiel: ``You should have 10 there.''
Ford: ``OK.''
Ford stuffs the money in his pockets and says he will be the primary Senate sponsor for E-Cycle's legislation.
Ford is the second lawmaker to go to trial in the Tennessee Waltz scandal.
Former state Sen. Roscoe Dixon was convicted in November and is serving a five-year sentence. Former state Rep. Chris Newton pleaded guilty to bribery and served a nine-month sentence.
Two others are awaiting trial.
Overall, the ongoing investigation has led to criminal charges against 11 defendants, including several local officials in Memphis and Chattanooga. Three of the accused have been convicted at trial and four have pleaded guilty.
No comments:
Post a Comment