Status of Tennessee Waltz defendants at a glance…
By Jason Plank | August 28, 2007
The Tennessee Associated Press sent this out earlier today…
Status of Tennessee Waltz defendants at a glance
With BC-TN–Public Corruption-Ford
By The Associated Press
Here is the status of the 11 defendants in the Tennessee Waltz
public corruption investigation:
—
Chris Newton
Former state representative
Republican
Home: Cleveland
Status: Pleaded guilty to bribery. Served nine months in prison.
—
Roscoe Dixon
Former state senator
Democrat
Home: Memphis
Status: Convicted of extortion and bribery. Serving five-year
prison sentence.
—
John Ford
Former state senator
Democrat
Home: Memphis
Status: Convicted of bribery. Acquitted on witness intimidation
charges. Extortion charge dismissed after jury deadlocked.
Sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison, two years probation.
—
Ward Crutchfield
Former state senator
Democrat
Home: Chattanooga
Status: Pleaded guilty to bribery. Extortion charge dismissed.
Sentencing set for Nov. 28.
—
Kathryn I. Bowers
Former state senator
Democrat
Home: Memphis
Status: Pleaded guilty to bribery. Extortion charges dismissed.
Sentencing set for Oct. 24.
—
William Cotton
Ex-Hamilton County commissioner
Democrat
Home: Chattanooga
Status: Convicted of extortion and bribery. Serving three-year
prison sentence.
—
Michael A. Hooks Sr.
Former Shelby County commissioner
Democrat
Home: Memphis
Status: Pleaded guilty to bribery. Serving two-year prison
sentence.
—-
Barry Myers
Political activist
Democrat
Home: Memphis
Status: Pleaded guilty to handling bribes for state lawmakers.
Sentencing set for Oct. 5.
—
Charles Love
Lobbyist, former member of Hamilton County Board of Education
Home: Chattanooga
Status: Pleaded guilty to handling bribes for state lawmakers.
Sentencing set for Aug. 2.
—
Calvin Williams
Former top administrator for Shelby County Commission
Home: Memphis
Status: Convicted of extortion and bribery. Sentenced to 33
months in prison.
—
Michael Hooks Jr.
Former Memphis school board member
Democrat
Home: Memphis
Status: Pleaded not guilty to embezzlement and obstruction of
justice. Trial set for Dec. 3.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Topics: John Ford Sentencing | No Comments »
That’s it for now…
By Jason Plank | August 28, 2007
11:55am- That pretty much wraps things up from here, for the moment.
I’ll be back with some additions and revisions later in the day.
Thanks for reading.
Topics: John Ford Sentencing | 3 Comments »
Federal Press Conference…
By Jason Plank | August 28, 2007
In attendance…David Kustoff, My Harrison, Tim DiScenza, and Lorraine Craig.
Kustoff first to make remarks: The sentence is fair and reasonable based of proof presented in trial. The 66 month term appropriately holds Ford accountable for violating the public trust. The sentence sends a strong message to others that would do the same thing. When public officials break the public trust, it undermines people’s faith that their government is operating for the people. Government is not for sale. Officials are held to the same standards anyone else.
My Harrison: “The jury has spoken. The judge has spoken. The sentence is fair.”
Kustoff thanks the prosecutors for their hard work.
Question: What will happen with John’s case in Nashville? Kustoff has no comment.
Question: You are 12-0 with the Tennessee Waltz cases. It has to feel good? Kustoff says it shows that people don’t want to see public officials “on the take.” Tennessee Waltz and Main Street Sweeper are ongoing matters, and they will continue to prosecute cases of public corruption.
Question: What did you think of Ford’s statement yesterday? Kustoff said the judge addressed the statement; Judge Breen’s statement and the sentence Ford received reflect the same thing Kustoff feels: The 66 month statement is fair and reasonable.
Question: What will happen to the watch? Kustoff says he will make no comment about the watch.
Question to My Harrison: Should “the people” feel good about this sentence? Harrison says the people should feel good about this and the 11 other sentences in Tennessee Waltz. The investigations won’t stop here.
Question: It seems remorse from the defendant matters in these cases. Please comment. Kustoff says there are a number of factors and variables that go into proper sentencing of defendants. Judge Breen, before he handed down his sentence, went through all of these variables and factors. He talked about Ford’s remorse, and was considered in Ford’s sentence.
Question: How long until Ford will have to report to prison? Weeks? Months? Kustoff says that is up to the Bureau of Prisons.
Question to DiScenza: How much did the undercover tapes matter to your case? DiScenza says they mattered a lot. If you don’t conduct an undercover operation, it is much harder to prove bribery. The FBI did a great job of uncovering what was going on. It took skill and dedication for this case to be put together.
Question: What do you make of Scholl’s comments that Ford was being treated differently because of his name? Kustoff says this did not enter into their case.
Question: How long will Tim Willis remain in hiding? Kustoff has no comment.
With that, Kustoff ended the press conference.
Topics: John Ford Sentencing | 1 Comment »
Public Defender…
By Jason Plank | August 28, 2007
Ford just had a hearing to obtain a public defender. There was a lot of testimony during this trial about Ford’s money problems, so this was not a surprise.
I was not inside the hearing, but I have heard from multiple sources that Ford’s car payment was said to be $935.
For what it’s worth, it’s a side topic many people are talking about right now inside the federal building.
Topics: John Ford Sentencing | 4 Comments »
Courtroom during the sentence…
By Jason Plank | August 28, 2007
Several have asked about the atmosphere in the courtroom during the sentencing.
Judge Breen spoke for several minutes building up to the sentence, basically laying at the groundwork for what the sentence would be. The courtroom became increasingly tense as the moments passed.
When the judge announced the sentence, it happened suddenly. From this blog, you can tell because it happened suddenly in the middle of a post.
I heard gasps in the courtroom from my left, which was the side Ford’s family was on. Looking back, I could see more than one person crying.
Ford showed little-to-no emotion. As soon as the judge left, he rose and began drinking from a cup of water. He turned back and motioned to his family with a gesture that indicated he would speak to them in a moment.
Scholl walked over to the media still in the room (many television reporters quickly went downstairs to do on-air reports) and said he would speak to them shortly.
With that, the courtroom quickly cleared.
I was struck by how quickly the tension notched up in the room as the morning progressed. When the hearing began at 9:00am, the mood in the room was loose and relaxed. Just an hour and half later, the tension was much more palpable than anything yesterday.
Topics: John Ford Sentencing | 4 Comments »
Press conferences…
By Jason Plank | August 28, 2007
I’ve moved downstairs to room 130 in the first floor of the federal building. We are expecting a press conference from the government at approximately 11:15am.
We are also expecting some kind of statement/press conference from Ford’s attorney. I am hearing they might happen at the same time.
Topics: John Ford Sentencing | No Comments »
More…
By Jason Plank | August 28, 2007
Ford will not be assessed a fine.
He will remain on his current bail for now.
He was emotionless as he left the courtroom.
I have to leave too…more to come…
Topics: John Ford Sentencing | 2 Comments »
Sentence delivered…
By Jason Plank | August 28, 2007
Ford’s sentence was delivered at 10:27am.
Again, he received 66 months in prison, followed by two years supervised release.
I could see no emotion on his face from my vantage point.
Several family members are crying.
Topics: John Ford Sentencing | 3 Comments »
More Breen…again…
By Jason Plank | August 28, 2007
10:25- Breen says he has a responsibility to give Ford a fair sentence for his actions, and also deliver a sentence that sends a message to others that are considering doing the things Ford did.
Breen says he does not expect to see Ford in court again. That he might commit the offense again will not be a factor in his sentence.
Sentence: 66 months. 2 years supervised release.
Topics: John Ford Sentencing | 2 Comments »
More Breen…
By Jason Plank | August 28, 2007
10:17am- The judge is addressing Ford’s comments yesterday. Because he made the government exercise their burden of proof, the court acknowledges that Ford is remorseful for his actions, but it is not enough to warrant a reduction in sentence.
Judge Breen is now addressing the nature of the circumstances of Ford’s offense. A jury found him guilty of bribery. The facts told a story of power that was used and abused by a man who had influence in his community. Ford was greedy, and at the same time, seemed to help many in his community.
The case sends an unfortunate message to the people Ford represented, Breen says. Ford violated their trust. He said young people may now think that “this is how things are done,” as they consider public service.
Breen is calling the nature of the offense is “tragic,” and the sentence must reflect the serious nature of the events.
As for Ford’s previous encounters with the criminal justice system, those too were unfortunate, and some seemed to even be violent. However, those cases were all either expunged or charges were dropped.
The judge says he received letters from many friends and family members of Ford.
Topics: John Ford Sentencing | No Comments »