“If we do nothing then we are really leaving ourselves at the will of the state,” said Commissioner Shante Avant. 

The May primary fields to succeed outgoing Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris could grow with no incumbent seeking reelection.

The comptroller’s report calls for greater transparency regarding criminal justice data. 

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris has produced six letters, going back to April 2021, in which he asked the County Commission to vote on new ethics board members. 

The new pass is now available at Memphis libraries and community centers. It provides elementary students and their families free access to performances and events hosted by more than 30 local arts organizations.

While only two commissioners voted to get a raise, the panel showed more warmth to a proposed minimum-wage increase for county employees.

A proposed one-month moratorium on the Shelby County Board of Commissioners’ grant program was voted down, but the commission may change how grants are made. There could also changes to the ethics board. 

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County Commission has little appetite for giving itself a raise

The possible freeze, which follows the indictment of Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. on bribery and tax evasion charges linked to grants, is one of the items on the March 17 agenda. 

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners stands by its decision to cap county funding for Regional One Health’s new campus, and it looks to a forensic audit of Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

Two Shelby County judgeships have been eliminated in the recent past rather than appointing new judges to the bench. 

State Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Eads, said the cost of the committee is “both justified and essential.”

David Pritchard, who is prosecuting the case, told Judge Thomas Parker he expects to hand over 80,000 pages of documents and 512 gigabytes of phone and computer records to Ford Jr.’s attorney Michael Scholl.

A Shelby County judge ruled Thursday, March 6, that the City of Memphis violated its contract with the Memphis Police Association when it created the controversial rank of 2nd Lieutenant. 

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.

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.

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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 grants

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 proposals include ballot questions for voters countywide in 2026 and an attempt to bring to life the dormant Shelby County Ethics Commission — or abolish it.

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. 

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Edmund Ford Jr. turns himself in to federal authorities

Ford indictment spotlights County Commission ethics guidelines

Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. entered the Odell Horton Federal Building in Downtown Memphis at about 9:35 a.m. Friday, Feb. 28. 

The Shelby County Health Department recommends local hospitals adopt the “opt-out” approach, in which an HIV test will be part of a patient’s medical visit unless they decline. 

The commission approved more money to buy the property that goes with the old Commercial Appeal buildings. Deals on the three remaining adjacent parcels for the 16-acre site are still pending.