Some Tennessee Waltz defendants already free from prison

Memphis Commercial Appeal ^ | 7/5/8 | Lawrence Buser

[SmithL]

Feds not yet ready to call probe finished -

The long-running undercover FBI investigation known as Tennessee Waltz resulted in trials that took up much of the last few years.

While the last convicted official recently began serving time, others already have been released or finished their probation. Former state senator John Ford, who has the longest sentence, is not expected to be released until 2013.

Spawned from a 2002 low-level scandal in the Shelby County Juvenile Court Clerk's office, the case snowballed into a statewide public corruption probe that eventually led to criminal charges filed against a dozen elected officials or aides beginning in 2005.

By 2007, all pleaded guilty or were convicted in trials.

"We cannot comment on whether ongoing investigations connected with information developed during the operation might still be ongoing," federal prosecutor Tim DiScenza said recently.

Here is an alphabetical rundown on how Tennessee Waltz defendants fared:

Kathryn Bowers: 65, former state senator, pleaded guilty in July 2007 to bribery. Serving 16-month sentence at Federal Correctional Institution in Greenville, Ill. Projected release: August 2009.

Darrell Catron: 41, former top aide in the Juvenile Court Clerk's Office. Pleaded guilty in February 2003 to his role in a bogus kickback scheme that launched a wider probe involving political consultant Tim Willis, an informant who was never charged. Sentenced to 18 months probation.

William Cotton: 62, former Hamilton County commissioner from Chattanooga. Convicted in February 2006 of extortion and bribery. Serving a three-year sentence at Federal Correctional Institution at Estill, S.C. Projected release: January 2009.

Ward Crutchfield: 79, former state senator from Chattanooga. Pleaded guilty in July 2005 to accepting an illegal gratuity. Sentenced to two years of probation, including six months home confinement.

Roscoe Dixon: 58, former state senator, convicted in June 2006 of bribery and extortion. Serving 63-month sentence (5 years, 3 months) at Federal Detention Center in Oakdale, La. Projected release: June 2011.

John Ford: 66, former state senator, convicted in April 2007 of bribery. Serving 66-month sentence (5 years, 6 months) at Federal Prison Camp in Pollock, La. Projected release: February 2013.

Michael Hooks Sr.: 57, former Shelby County Commissioner, pleaded guilty in August 2005 to bribery. Serving 26-month sentence (2 years, 2 months) at Federal Prison Camp in Montgomery, Ala. Projected release: June 2009.

Michael Hooks Jr.: 33, former city school board member, pleaded guilty to taking $1,500 in bogus invoice scam at Juvenile Court Clerk's Office. Served 30-day sentence at Federal Correctional Institution in Yazoo City, Miss. Released in June 2008.

Charles Love: 58, lobbyist and former member of Hamilton County Board of Education in Chattanooga. Pleaded guilty in August 2005 to handling bribes for state lawmakers. Serving sentence of one year and one day at Federal Correctional Institution in Jesup, Ga. Projected release date: July 27, 2008.

Barry Myers: 41, political activist and bagman. Pleaded guilty to bribery in August 2005. Serving 18-month sentence at Federal Correctional Institution in Yazoo City, Miss. Projected release date: May 25, 2009.

Chris Newton: 37, former state representative from Cleveland. Pleaded guilty in August 2005 to bribery. Sentenced to one year and one day in prison. Served nine months at minimum-security U.S. Penitentiary in Atlanta. Released in January 2007 to half-way house in Knoxville.

Calvin Williams: 45, former top administrator for Shelby County Commission, convicted in January 2007 of bribery and extortion. Serving 33-month sentence (2 years, 9 months) at Federal Correctional Institution in Forrest City, Ark. Projected release: December 2009.

[SmithL]

Just in case you're curious, Chris Newton was the Republican caught in the Tennessee Waltz. He's also the only one that admitted wrongdoing, and pleaded guilty without a plea bargain

[goldstategop]

Memphis is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Ford Company. No wonder it has a reputation for corruption.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Coldwater Creek]

I live in the area. Armpit of the Nation!

[TennTuxedo]

The “Ford Machine” is a continuation of an even more rotten regime(in more ways than one)-the “Boss Crump Machine”.

[Colonel Kangaroo]

The world will never again see one of William Cotton’s noatable campaign signs that urged voters to “PICK COTTON”.

[Tennessee Nana]

Chris has been home for a while now and is doing good..

His family and his Christian friends stood by him and he is back among us...

[NCC-1701]

“...The “Ford Machine” is a continuation of an even more rotten regime(in more ways than one)-the “Boss Crump Machine”....”

Soon to put in second place far behind the reign of King Willie.

[NCC-1701]

“...The “Ford Machine” is a continuation of an even more rotten regime(in more ways than one)-the “Boss Crump Machine”....”

Soon to put in second place far behind the reign of King Willie.

[no dems]

Chris Newton was the Republican caught in the Tennessee Waltz. He's also the only one that admitted wrongdoing, and pleaded guilty without a plea bargain

Hey; this just proves what I've always believed. Republican crooks are nicer than Democrat crooks.