What is it about this family of powerful, corrupt Democrats?

With a hidden video camera rolling, Memphis City Councilman Edmund Ford allegedly pocketed a $1,900 payoff from a government informant in October, then promised results.

"I'll drum up seven (votes) or make somebody walk out."

That was among allegations levied Thursday against council members Ford and Rickey Peete, who were arrested by FBI agents on federal bribery charges accusing them of accepting thousands of dollars from an informant in exchange for their votes.

In the second major local public corruption investigation in two years, authorities say secret audio and video recordings show the pair received cash payments -- $12,000 for Peete and $6,900 for Ford -- for their support of a real estate development and billboard approved by the council on Oct. 3.

The federal investigation, dubbed "Main Street Sweeper," comes amid the prosecution of politicians statewide in the FBI's Operation Tennessee Waltz.
To date, 15 public officials or aides have been charged in the investigations.

"In the book of public corruption ... this is another sad chapter," said My Harrison, FBI Special Agent in Charge.

Both investigations are open and ongoing, according to U.S. Atty. David Kustoff.
The Ford family now has defendants in both investigations.

John Ford, the brother of Edmund Ford, is awaiting trial in a Tennessee Waltz case alleging he took $55,000 in bribes for his support of a bill in the legislature sought by FBI agents posing as crooked businessmen.

And remember, this is the family that produced the Democrat Party candidate for US Senate in Tennessee this fall – I wonder if a closer look at Harold Ford, Jr. and his years in the House will show hat the apple didn’t fall far from the tree?

And you know what is more shocking – the other indicted councilman was previously convicted of taking bribes during his first stint on the city council. Are the folks in Memphis capable of self-government?

Posted by: Greg at 11:03 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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