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{Former State Senator, John} Ford a good person, deserves leniency, character witnesses say
Memphis Commercial Appeal ^ | 8/27/7 | Lawrence Buser

Posted on 08/27/2007 4:15:18 PM PDT by SmithL

Character witnesses testifying on John Ford's behalf asked a federal judge this afternoon to show leniency in sentencing the former state senator.

Ford, 65, who was convicted in April of taking $55,000 in bribes, faces up to 10 years in prison. His defense says the amount should be no more than a year or two.

"He's a fun guy and hard working," said retired state representative Alvin King. "You could depend on John. He was the go-to person. He was an outstanding legislator. He got a lot of things passed."

Turning to U.S. Dist. Court Judge J. Daniel Breen, King said Ford tends to brag, but that he is a good person and deserves leniency.

Rep. Ulysses Jones also testified in the sentencing hearing, noting that Ford would support and promote bills for his colleagues to help get them passed.

"He's already missed in the legislature," said Jones. "He did a lot of good for a lot of people, not only in this county but also in the state. There's a lot of people who miss Sen. Ford."

Earlier in the day, defense attorney Michael Scholl took issue with the pre-sentencing report, which he said unfairly favored the government.

Ford was convicted of accepting $55,000 in bribes from undercover federal agents posing as crooked businessman in an FBI sting known as the Tennessee Waltz. He is one of five state lawmakers - and 11 of 12 defendants overall - who have been convicted or pleaded guilty in the public corruption investigation.

Scholl argued that Ford's monthly $5,000 payment from undercover agents was part of a single bribe which would place his client on lower sentencing scale.

"This was only one set of bribes and it had an ending date when the bill passed," said Scholl, referring to legislation Ford promised to handle for the agents.

Federal prosecutor Tim DiScenza contended that the payments were multiple bribes.

"It was open-ended," he said. "There was no fixed amount."

Defense and prosecutors also argued over the value of a Rolex watch that was taken Ford when he was arrested on the bribery charges.

Ford had boasted to undercover agents that the watch was a gift from developer Rusty Hyneman for saving him more than a million dollars in his business dealings with the state of Tennessee.

At 3:30 p.m. Breen called a 20-minute break and arguments over the watch resumed.

Ford also is expected to call about 15 character witnesses during the hearing. It was not clear this afternoon whether the hearing would be concluded today.

Among those watching in the crowded courtroom are U.S. Atty. David Kustoff and Memphis FBI chief My Harrison.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Government; US: Tennessee
KEYWORDS: corruptfamily; johnford; memphis; tnwaltz

1 posted on 08/27/2007 4:15:21 PM PDT by SmithL
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Breen, J. Daniel
Born 1950 in Jackson, TN

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U. S. District Court, Western District of Tennessee
Nominated by George W. Bush on January 7, 2003, to a seat vacated by Julia Smith Gibbons; Confirmed by the Senate on March 13, 2003, and received commission on March 14, 2003.

U.S. Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, 1991-2003

Education:
Spring Hill College, B.A., 1972

University of Tennessee, J.D., 1975

Professional Career:
Private practice, Jackson, Tennessee, 1975-1991

Race or Ethnicity: White

Gender: Male

2 posted on 08/27/2007 4:15:49 PM PDT by SmithL (I don't do Barf Alerts, you're old enough to read and decide for yourself)
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To: SmithL
How can you have character witnesses for a person that has no character?
3 posted on 08/27/2007 4:18:19 PM PDT by HuntsvilleTxVeteran (Remember the Alamo, Goliad and WACO, It is Time for a new San Jacinto)
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To: SmithL
OK, give him 9 years and 11 months and 20 days.
4 posted on 08/27/2007 4:20:13 PM PDT by org.whodat (What's the difference between a Democrat and a republican????)
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To: SmithL

What’s a little greed between friends?


5 posted on 08/27/2007 4:24:23 PM PDT by snarks_when_bored
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To: SmithL

Looking at this judge’s resume and his name, I don’t look for anything but leniency. Two of the most liberal Catholic priests in Nashville share the same last name. He attended Spring Hill College which is a Jesuit Catholic school and the Jesuits are the most liberal of all Catholics. “Liberal” is written all over this guy.


6 posted on 08/27/2007 4:29:03 PM PDT by Emmett McCarthy
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To: SmithL

Party affiliation not given by the reporter. May I assume Mr. Ford is a Rat?


7 posted on 08/27/2007 4:30:18 PM PDT by BigBobber
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To: BigBobber

You may assume that. John Ford is Harold Ford, Jr.’s uncle.


8 posted on 08/27/2007 4:35:36 PM PDT by SmithL (I don't do Barf Alerts, you're old enough to read and decide for yourself)
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To: org.whodat

But, did he find Jesus? Michael Vick did.
A principal of a suburban Atlanta school this morning went
on the horn to ask all the kids to “ pray for Vick’.
I wonder if these “defenders” of crooks and jerks asked
their followers to pray for the Duke LaCrosse players?


9 posted on 08/27/2007 4:38:11 PM PDT by Duffboy
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To: All

Let the guy off. He’s a heckuva movie director. “The Grapes of Wrath” and the greatest movie ever made “Tobacco Road”. And some jim dandy John Wayne movies too.


10 posted on 08/27/2007 4:45:10 PM PDT by BipolarBob (Yes I backed over the vampire, but I swear I didn't see it in my rear view mirror.)
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To: BipolarBob
That Ford produced movies. This Ford was in movies. Movies that incriminated him, that is.
11 posted on 08/27/2007 4:58:57 PM PDT by oyez (Justa' another high minded lowlife.)
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To: HuntsvilleTxVeteran
Ford a good person, deserves leniency, character witnesses say

People saying that are probably owed money by Ford and they won't recover a penny if Ford goes to the clink.

This is not the end of Ford's legal problems. I don't know how a good person gets in so much trouble.

12 posted on 08/27/2007 5:25:38 PM PDT by oyez (Justa' another high minded lowlife.)
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To: SmithL
"He's a fun guy...

Add this to "things NOT to say at a sentencing hearing...

13 posted on 08/27/2007 5:32:01 PM PDT by Grim
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To: oyez

That wouldn’t matter in the least Ford’s don’t repay ‘loans’..or pay bills either.


14 posted on 08/28/2007 4:26:01 AM PDT by GailA (I'm proud to admit I'm a quilt-aholic....Run Fred Run!)
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To: SmithL
Fox & Friends email addy

friends@foxnews.com

ask them if they intend to report the conviction and sentencing of the 'big cheese' caught in the TN Waltz Sting? Or don't they want to embarass FNC contributor and former US Rep Harold Ford, Jr. I did.

15 posted on 08/28/2007 7:00:37 AM PDT by GailA (I'm proud to admit I'm a quilt-aholic....Run Fred Run!)
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To: GailA
John Ford asked for forgiveness in his sentencing hearing. Do you believe he was genuine?
16 posted on 08/28/2007 7:26:10 AM PDT by SmithL (I don't do Barf Alerts, you're old enough to read and decide for yourself)
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To: SmithL; GailA
He’s got 5 1/2 years to be genuine.
17 posted on 08/28/2007 2:28:50 PM PDT by oyez (Justa' another high minded lowlife.)
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To: SmithL

NO, just saying what his lawyer told him to to get off lighter..he’s a sociopath...can’t cvhange his spots.


18 posted on 08/28/2007 9:30:24 PM PDT by GailA (I'm proud to admit I'm a quilt-aholic....Run Fred Run!)
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