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Shelby County Commissioner Indicted on Federal Charges

Government building representing Shelby County ethics and reform.

News Summary

Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. has been indicted on seven federal charges, including bribery and tax evasion. The allegations involve financial misconduct linked to nonprofit organizations he supported. Following his indictment, Ford Jr. surrendered to authorities and pleaded not guilty. His actions are currently under scrutiny as a significant investigation is ongoing, raising ethical concerns regarding his practices in handling grant funding. The situation impacts his role in the commission as reforms on ethics and transparency are being discussed.

Memphis – Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. has been indicted on a seven-count federal charge, facing accusations of bribery and tax evasion. The indictment includes one count of bribery concerning federal programs and six counts of attempting to evade or defeat taxes. Following his indictment, Ford Jr. turned himself in at the federal courthouse and pleaded not guilty during his court appearance.

According to the indictment, Ford Jr. allegedly deposited more than $250,000 from three different nonprofit organizations into an account for his computer business. These nonprofits reportedly received nearly $600,000 in total grant funding from the Shelby County Commission, with the funding facilitated by resolutions that Ford Jr. sponsored or voted on during his tenure. Furthermore, he is accused of accepting tens of thousands of dollars in payments from these nonprofits for the purchase of computers, further implicating him in financial misconduct.

Ford Jr. was granted a $25,000 unsecured bond following his court hearing. Under the bond’s conditions, he is required to remain in the United States and has been instructed to avoid contact with other individuals named in the indictment. The bribery charge could result in a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine, while the tax evasion charges carry potential sentences of five years in prison and fines of $250,000 each.

The allegations against Ford Jr. are part of an extensive investigation that has occurred over nearly four years, focusing on his grant funding practices. The investigation began in 2019, amid claims that he sold computers to Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South, an organization that received $450,000 in grant funding from the county. Ford Jr. was directly involved with three specific nonprofits named in the indictment: Prime Time Parenting, Memphis Women Aiming High Inc., and UCAN Memphis.

Details in the indictment suggest that Ford Jr. disguised payments and failed to declare his business relationships while voting on grant funding, which raises significant ethical concerns about his conduct as a county commissioner. These allegations come at a time when the Shelby County Commission is actively working on improving local ethics rules to enhance transparency and accountability within the board.

Shelby County Commission Chairman Michael Whaley indicated that the board will defer to the legal process while also focusing on amending local ethics regulations. These amendments aim to clarify definitions of conflict of interest and align the county’s policies with state laws. Current changes under consideration include policies governing conflict of interest and the procedures for recalling elected county officers. The proposed changes are presently in the first reading stage, with potential adjustments before a final vote.

Despite the ongoing legal issues, Ford Jr. attended a recent Shelby County Commission meeting, underscoring his commitment to fulfill his responsibilities to his constituents. His legal team has stated they will defend against the charges vigorously and maintain Ford Jr.’s innocence throughout the legal proceedings.

Alongside his role as a commissioner, Ford Jr. continues to be employed by the City of Memphis as a Senior Financial Literacy Coordinator, raising questions about the implications of his indictment on his current employment and future career prospects.

The situation is drawing significant public interest as the Shelby County Commission navigates these challenges while simultaneously addressing essential ordinances related to ethics and transparency. As the case unfolds, the implications for Ford Jr. and the commission’s ongoing reforms will serve as crucial focal points in the community.