Free Republic

MEMPHIS - A confessed "bagman" in the Tennessee Waltz sting and aide to a former state senator convicted on extortion and bribery charges was endorsed by several Memphis politicians for vacant legislative seats last year. Backed by Shelby County commissioners, Barry Myers was up for a House seat last May but was indicted days before he could get the position. He also nearly captured an appointment to a state Senate seat. "Your credentials are quite impressive, and I appreciate you bringing your availability to my attention," Commissioner David Lillard wrote a candidate vying with Myers for the House seat. "However,...

A state senator already under scrutiny for ethical allegations, was indicted today on bribery charges along with three lawmakers, a former lawmaker and two others in a federal probe of his business dealings. Tennessee state Sen. John Ford, a Memphis Democrat from a powerful political family, is charged with the five others for taking bribes from undercover investigators to influence legislation concerning a sham company set up by the FBI. Ford and former state Sen. Roscoe Dixon appeared in federal court today handcuffed and shackled at the ankles, according to The Tennessean newspaper. "He's shocked as you can imagine," Ford's...