Commissioners weigh moratorium on program at heart of Ford indictment
The grant program that allots each county commissioner $200,000 is at the heart of federal bribery and tax-evasion charges against Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr.
There are 169 article(s) tagged Edmund Ford Jr.:
The grant program that allots each county commissioner $200,000 is at the heart of federal bribery and tax-evasion charges against Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr.
Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr., who was indicted last week, has been placed on leave without pay from his city job, the City of Memphis said Tuesday, March 4.
The Shelby County commissioner has pleaded not guilty to charges of alleged bribery and attempted tax evasion, and he faces a maximum of 40 years in federal prison. Though, if convicted, he likely would not see that much time behind bars. Edmund Ford Jr. placed on leave from city job Ford Jr. steered more money to nonprofits, documents show Inside proposed ethics changes for county government Harris wants to suspend Ford Jr. from making more county grantsRelated content:
Shelby County Commissioner Mick Wright identified three additional instances where Ford steered county funds to nonprofits federal investigators associated with an alleged kickback scheme.
Mayor Lee Harris also said he wants to meet with attorneys and other elected officials to see if further steps need to be taken.
While the indictment does not name the nonprofits, The Daily Memphian analyzed meeting minutes from the Shelby County Board of Commissioners and the Memphis City Council to determine which nonprofits were likely involved.
There is no provision for removing a Shelby County commissioner facing criminal charges, but there is a push to strengthen the ethics commission’s role, Chairman Michael Whaley said.
Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. has been indicted on one count of alleged bribery and kickbacks and six counts of attempted tax evasion, according to federal court documents filed Friday, Feb. 28. Edmund Ford Jr. turns himself in to federal authorities Ford indictment spotlights County Commission ethics guidelinesRelated content:
Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. entered the Odell Horton Federal Building in Downtown Memphis at about 9:35 a.m. Friday, Feb. 28.
County commissioners are considering a raise for the whoever is elected Shelby County sheriff in 2026. Meanwhile, a proposal to give the next group of commissioners a pay raise was withdrawn.
The Shelby County Board of Commissioners will vote on the resolution at its Monday, Feb. 10, meeting, authorizing $50,000 from the commission’s contingency fund to pay for the audit.
There were no votes opposing the new Frayser high school, but word that the Memphis-Shelby County Schools board will vote on a possible ouster of Superintendent Marie Feagins cast a long shadow over the discussion.
The rules discussed at a Saturday, Dec. 14, retreat at Shelby Farms Park include a budget subcommittee to hash out details of budget amendments.
The measure, which would go on the Nov. 5 ballot, allows the Shelby County Commission to hire its own legal counsel. A final vote to put it to county voters is expected some time next week.
The proposed budget amendment comes less than two months after the start of the new county government fiscal year.
The commission may put off immediate funding for the prosecutors office until budget season. Meanwhile, commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. continues to threaten legal action against other commissioners — the second time in less than a week.
Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. said Monday, Jan. 29, that he plans to ask local election officials how to recall another county commissioner.
Children selected for the center will be awaiting juvenile court decisions or adjudications of their cases; the minors will come in groups of 16, with six cohorts a year at the facility. The County Commission also approved a Citizen Law Enforcement Review Committee.
Shelby County commissioners start the new year Monday, Jan. 8, with a short agenda and a deeper dive into the details and rules of getting to votes on resolutions and ordinances.
The case of one county commissioner against another was dismissed in court Wednesday, Dec. 20.
Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr.’s request for a temporary order of protection from fellow commissioner Mickell Lowery has been denied — at least for now.
County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. is seeking a court order of protection against fellow commissioner Mickell Lowery after the two exchanged words in August. Attorneys are seeking to seal the order and the details of Ford’s legal motion.
The resolution directing the Economic Development Growth Engine to conduct a study of the controversial idea fell short by two votes. The commission also delayed votes on the county land bank and a police review board.
Also on the commission agenda Monday, Oct. 2, are locations for a group of 30 surveillance cameras in the district of commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. One of the cameras is to be placed across the street from where he lives.
The commission also used some of its opioid settlement money to develop a plan for dealing with the effect of opioid addiction.