Bribery Conviction
Further information: Operation Tennessee WaltzOn May 26, 2005, one day after his nephew announced his candidacy for the United States Senate, Ford was arrested by the FBI, along with two other Tennessee state senators, a Tennessee state representative, a former state senator, a Chattanooga school board member, and an African American political activist, for alleged participation in a bribery scheme utilizing a "sting" operation involving a bogus electronics recycling company lobbying for favorable treatment under state law. Known as Operation Tennessee Waltz, the sting operation resulted in multiple charges being brought against Ford and other politicians.
On April 27, 2007, John Ford was convicted by a federal jury in Memphis of accepting $55,000 in bribes. However, the jury deadlocked on the more serious charge of extortion, creating a mistrial on that count. He was acquitted on three counts of witness intimidation.
On August 28, 2007, Ford was sentenced to 66 months in federal prison to be followed by two years of supervised release. Ford is also facing corruption charges in Nashville, TN for accepting bribes totaling over $800,000.00 from medical contractors doing business with the State. In a press conference after the sentencing hearing FBI Agent in Charge My Harrison credited agents Brian Burns and Mark Jackson with excellence in detective work related to Operation Tennessee Waltz which resulted in a ten for ten conviction record against public officials engaged in using public office for private gain through bribery. One defendant remains to be tried in Operation Tennessee Waltz.
On April 29, 2008, Ford reported to prison in Louisiana.
On April 14, 2011, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a portion of the convictions against Ford on jurisdictional grounds.
Read more about this topic: John Ford (Tennessee Politician)
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