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Shelby County Commissioner Indicted on Bribery and Tax Evasion

Exterior view of Shelby County Courthouse

News Summary

Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. has been federally indicted on seven charges, including bribery and tax evasion. Ford, who turned himself in on Friday, is accused of receiving illegal payments from nonprofits in exchange for grants linked to his computer business. The case has sparked discussions on enhancing local ethics regulations, with proposals to amend current policies. Ford Jr.’s next court date is yet to be scheduled, but he remains committed to his role in the commission despite the allegations.

Shelby County, Tennessee – Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. has been federally indicted on seven charges, including one count of bribery and kickbacks related to federal programs and six counts of tax evasion. Ford Jr. turned himself in to federal authorities on Friday morning and pleaded not guilty during his initial court appearance.

The indictment against Ford Jr. alleges that he deposited over $250,000 into an account for his computer business, which he allegedly obtained from several nonprofits. Prosecutors claim that he received tens of thousands of dollars in payments from these organizations for purchasing computers from his company, which purportedly violates ethics rules established for public officials.

The nonprofits mentioned in the indictment include Prime Time Parenting, Memphis Women Aiming High Inc., and UCAN Memphis. These organizations collectively received nearly $600,000 in grant funds from the Shelby County Commission through resolutions Ford Jr. either sponsored or voted on. The bribery charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $100,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Meanwhile, the counts of tax evasion carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.

Ford Jr. was released on a $25,000 unsecured bond, meaning he did not have to pay any amount upfront but is subject to travel restrictions within the United States and is prohibited from contacting individuals named in the indictment.

The charges stemmed from a broader investigation that included an FBI search of Ford Jr.’s home in May 2023. He has been accused of not disclosing a business relationship when sponsoring a $450,000 grant to Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South, an organization that later purchased computers from his business.

In response to the situation, Michael Whaley, Chair of the Shelby County Board of Commissioners, reaffirmed the board’s commitment to ethics and transparency amidst the serious allegations against Ford Jr. He is sponsoring an ordinance aimed at amending local ethics rules to enhance the functionality of the Shelby County Ethics Commission.

Commissioner Britney Thornton acknowledged the difficult circumstances surrounding Ford Jr. and called for empathy from the public while stressing the importance of continuing the commission’s work without disruption.

Proposals for amending current policies include clarifying definitions of what constitutes a conflict of interest and aligning the county’s ethics code with state laws. Two amendments that Whaley introduced focus on the structure of the ethics commission and the process involved in handling complaints against members.

A third proposed change would enable recall elections for members of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board, ensuring that their ethics code aligns with state law requirements.

Ford Jr.’s next court date has not yet been scheduled. Despite his ongoing legal troubles, he attended a recent commission meeting, indicating his continued commitment to serve and represent his constituents.