WMC-TV: News, Weather, Traffic, Radar, and Sports for Memphis, TN; WMCTV.com | John Ford sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison
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If John Ford was upset after he was sentenced in federal court, he didn't show it, or say it. Ford, who confessed to a judge Monday that he talked too much, left the courthouse Tuesday without saying a word to reporters.
His silence came moments after U.S. District Court Judge J. Daniel Breen slapped him with a 66 month prison sentence in his Tennessee Waltz public corruption trial. Ford received the most severe punishment handed to any of the 12 Tennessee Waltz defendants.
"We thought they were trying to make an example today because it was Mr. Ford," said Mike Scholl, Ford's attorney for the duration of the trial.
Scholl claimed during the trial that Ford was set up by the FBI, the centerpiece of Tennessee Waltz. According to Scholl, his client was singled out and demonized, not only by prosecutors, but the media.
"Seldom through these events did we hear anything positive about John Ford," he said. "I wanted to present positive side in the hearing."
In Monday's hearing, 14 character witnesses took the stand to talk about Ford's positive side.
Ford made a statement in his own defense. With his voice breaking, Ford said he was embarrassed for himself and his family by a series of video clips presented at his trial showing him taking stacks of $100 bills from an FBI agent posing as a corrupt businessman.
"These past two years have been the most difficult in my life," Ford said. "I don't know how I have been able to sustain myself."
In the end, the judge was not convinced Ford believed he did anything wrong, and said his sentence should send a message that would deter other public officials from taking the same path.
"People make mistakes," Scholl said. "A mistake was made here, one for winch he is going to pay a price for."
As Ford's attorney spoke outside the federal building, U.S. Attorney David Kustoff spoke about the sentence inside. Less than an hour after Ford's sentence was announced, Kustoff told reporters the sentence sent a clear message.
"The citizens of Tennessee should have the assurance their government is not for sale," he said.
Kustoff's words were almost anti-climatic in the swirl of activity surrounding the trial, but as Judge Breen said during Tuesday's hearing, the sentence was a warning to other potentially corrupt politicians.
"Today's sentence sents a strong statement to those in public service, and hopefully will act as a deterrent," he said.
Ford faced a maximum 10-year prison term plus a $250,000 fine, an unlikely sentence for a first-time offender. Scholl successfully argued against a fine, saying Ford has already been punished financially.
"They have taken everything he has, every dime he has," Scholl said.
Kustoff said Ford's remorse may have played a role in the judge's decision. FBI Special Agent in Charge My Harrison agreed with the sentence.
"The jury has spoken, the judge has spoken, the sentence is fair," she said, adding that the door may not be closed on Tennessee Waltz.
"We will continue our investigation," she said. "It won't stop here. Everything is still pending."
And, with the defense having 10 days to appeal the case, the prosecution is prepared for anything. Scholl has already indicated that Ford will file an appeal.
Officials said the decision on when Ford will be ordered to report to prison, and what prison he will report to, will be made by the Bureau of Prisons. He will remain free until that time.
Tennessee Waltz indictments were handed down in 2005, setting off a scandal that led to a special legislative session and broad changes in the state's public ethics laws.
Tennessee Waltz was built around a fake company, E-Cycle Management, that offered bribes for help in changing state law for a business advantage.
Former state Sen. Roscoe Dixon, D-Memphis, is the only other Tennessee lawmaker convicted at trial. He is serving a prison sentence of five years and three months.
Former Rep. Chris Newton, R-Cleveland, pleaded guilty to bribery and spent nine months in prison. Former Sens. Ward Crutchfield, D-Chattanooga, and Sen. Kathryn Bowers, D-Memphis, also pleaded guilty and await sentencing.
Overall, Tennessee Waltz led to criminal charges against 11 defendants, including several local officials in Memphis and Chattanooga.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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