News Summary
Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. has been indicted on federal charges including bribery and tax evasion, risking up to 40 years in prison if convicted. The indictment results from a federal investigation into his business dealings with nonprofits involving over $250,000 in payments. Ford’s alleged actions date back to 2018 and include falsifying tax records and not disclosing business relationships. The chair of the Shelby County Board of Commissioners has expressed concern over the seriousness of the allegations as Ford pleads not guilty and awaits further court proceedings.
Shelby County, TN – Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. has been indicted on multiple federal charges, including bribery and tax evasion. The indictment, which was announced recently, lists one count of bribery involving federal programs and six counts of attempting to evade taxes. If convicted on all counts, Ford faces a potential prison sentence of up to 40 years.
According to federal prosecutors, Ford deposited more than $250,000 into an account linked to his computer business, sourced from three different nonprofits. The indictment alleges that he received tens of thousands of dollars in payments from these nonprofits to purchase computers from his company. In total, the prosecution claims to have gathered over 80,000 items of evidence against Ford, prompting his defense attorney, Michael Scholl, to request additional time to review the materials.
The charges against Ford arise from a nearly four-year investigation into his practices concerning grants he sponsored. Details from the indictment reveal that he sponsored resolutions for grants while not disclosing his business relationships with the nonprofits involved. For instance, in April 2023, Ford allegedly visited the home of a nonprofit leader, presenting a list of organizations that were due to receive funding and assuring he would secure $30,000 in grants for his business.
In addition to the bribery charges, Ford faces accusations related to transactions with two other nonprofits. Investigators have also pointed to significant cash withdrawals from accounts tied to his businesses, with many of these transactions captured on video evidence. Furthermore, the six counts of tax evasion are attributed to Ford’s failure to report business income accurately, the overstatement of itemized deductions, and the submission of falsified donation records from 2019 through 2022.
The allegations date back to 2018 and suggest that Ford minimized his involvement with his businesses when questioned during a federal interview. For years, Ford has served on both the Shelby County Commission and the Memphis City Council, and he currently holds a position as the Senior Financial Literacy Coordinator for the City of Memphis.
The federal investigation into Ford included a search of his family home in May 2023, which uncovered more details in the ongoing inquiry. Following the indictment, the Chair of the Shelby County Board of Commissioners expressed disheartenment at the serious nature of these allegations. The importance of maintaining ethical standards in public office was highlighted during discussions about the case.
During his initial court hearing, Ford pleaded not guilty to all charges. He is scheduled for a court appearance on June 21, 2025, to address the indictment further.
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HERE Resources
Shelby County Commissioner Indicted on Bribery and Tax Evasion
Shelby County Commissioner Indicted on Federal Charges
Changes on the Horizon for Nonprofit Funding in Memphis
Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. Indicted
Shelby County Commissioner Indicted on Bribery Charges
Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. Charged
Additional Resources
- The Daily Memphian: Edmund Ford Jr. in Memphis Politics
- Google Search: Edmund Ford Jr.
- Fox 13 Memphis: Attorney Update on Edmund Ford Jr.
- Wikipedia: Federal Indictment
- Action News 5: Edmund Ford Jr. Returns to Court
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bribery
- The Commercial Appeal: Edmund Ford Jr. Indicted
- Google News: Edmund Ford Jr. Indictment
