Posted on 04/11/2007 9:57:19 AM PDT by SmithL
John Ford wasn’t expected.
In spring 2004, an undercover FBI agent posing as a corrupt businessman bribed state Rep. Kathryn Bower to arrange a "leadership dinner" with elected officials in Nashville, said FBI agent Brian Burns, the first prosecution witness called this morning on the third day of the former state senator’s bribery trial.
The FBI agent, going by the name L.C. McNeil, wanted to meet lawmakers who would be willing to draft and change legislation in the Tennessee General Assembly in exchange for cash payments. The federal government was investigating "systemic corruption" in state government.
Acting as executives of E-Cycle Management, an FBI-run sham company in the computer-recycling business, McNeil and another undercover agent arrived at a steakhouse in Nashville on April 19, 2004. They didn’t know whom they would meet, but they expected the attendees would include the House speaker, Senate president or others in official leadership positions in the General Assembly.
Instead, the undercover agents met Ford -- an influential Memphis Democrat whose power was substantial but unofficial. That’s when Ford suddenly, and unexpectedly, became a target of the FBI’s Operation Tennessee Waltz, Burns testified today.
"Did Mr. Ford agree to sponsor legislation for E-Cycle?" federal prosecutor Lorraine Craig asked Burns.
"Mr. Ford drafted legislation at E-Cycle’s request, amended it at E-Cycle’s request, and ultimately filed it," the agent answered.
Burns described how the undercover agents built a relationship with Ford, taking him to expensive dinners and a trip to Miami, where they partied on a yacht that was previously seized by the federal government in a drug bust.
"It’s used in many undercover operations," Burns said of the boat.
From there, Burns explained how Ford would meet regularly with purported E-Cycle executives in Nashville and Memphis. The senator accepted 10 cash bribes totaling $55,000 to draft and change legislation that would have benefited the FBI’s sham company, Burns testified.
The agent’s testimony continues.
FYI
Imus was begging for Harold Jr. to contact him yesterday. I wondered why the silence. Then it occurred to me that the story about John’s trial was running on all of the tickers. HEHE
I would have paid to be on that jury!
I applaud your sense of civic duty!
; )
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Mentioned,
'state Rep. Kathryn Bower' .. a dim I presume
'Ford -- an influential Memphis Democrat whose power was substantial but unofficial'...Not an elected official?
'From there, Burns explained how Ford would meet regularly with purported E-Cycle executives in Nashville and Memphis. The senator accepted 10 cash'
Is 'Ford' an elected official or not?
Ford didn’t run for reelection, this time.
THE Republican caught in the TN Waltz was Chris Newton. He admitted wrongdoing, plead guilty without a deal, and has already completed his sentence. The Dems all have excuse for why they were caught.
Read in the CA a couple of days ago JUNIOR no longer lives in Memphis.
Yes Ms Bowers is a DemoRat. As were all but 1 of those caught in the TN Waltz sting. John resigned to work on his defense, his sister was then elected by the dead and felon vote to his seat, after the TN Senate ousted her when it was found out she ran again and was re-elected.
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