Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Politicians - John Ford
I don't know what the verdict will be; however, I do know that it sure isn't what honest people do...
Marc Perrusquia reports for Memphis Online:
"Yet as the prosecution and defense made opening statements Tuesday in the former state senator's long-awaited bribery trial, it became clear they want jurors to reach far different conclusions on the case's centerpiece:
Hours of videotapes that show Ford stuffing cash into his pockets and bragging of his power to make deals.
'Senator Ford saw a great opportunity. And that opportunity was to sell his office,' Asst. U.S. Atty. Tim DiScenza told the seven white and five black jurors chosen to decide Ford's fate.
Ford, 64, the unofficial head of Memphis' leading political family, is accused of accepting $55,000 in bribes to help undercover agents posing as corrupt businessmen get a state contract.
Yet, defense lawyer Michael Scholl told the jury that cash payments on the tapes aren't bribes but rather legal payments Ford thought he was entitled to after agents baited him with limo rides, outings on a yacht and stays in first-class hotels.
'The United States government is looking for John Ford, and that's what this case is going to show,' Scholl told the jury.
'The FBI keeps coming to John Ford ... month after month, day after day to try to get him to do something illegal.'"
