Mayor Lee Harris requests pause on Edmund Ford Jr.’s grant making
The Shelby County Mayor released a statement requesting a pause on Ford Jr.’s grant making ability following his federal indictment.
MEMPHIS, Tenn — Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris has requested the Shelby County Commission pause Edmund Ford Jr.’s grant making abilities.
The request came via a statement release Monday following Ford Jr.’s federal indictment being unsealed Friday.
“The federal criminal indictment of Commissioner Ford is devastating news for the residents he serves and for all of Shelby County,” Harris’s statement reads. “Considering these allegations of criminal corruption, it is appropriate for the Commission to stop Commissioner Ford from additional grant-making and participating in the County grant-making process while the prosecution is on-going.
“While there is a presumption of innocence until proven guilty, his continued grant-making as a commissioner unnecessarily taints the process and undermines the credibility of this Commission program and the non-profits who participate. We will convene a meeting this week with relevant legal authorities and county officials to figure out what other steps, if any, must be taken immediately.”
The indictment released Friday reads that Ford was charged with one count of bribery and kickbacks, six counts of attempts to evade or defeat tax.
“From 2016 to 2018, when Ford Jr. served as the Budget Chair for the Memphis City Council, grants were awarded to nonprofit organizations through an application process,” the indictment reads. “E&J Computer Services and Repair was a business operated by Ford Jr. and other members of his family. E&J Computer Services and Repair deposited over $250,000 in its bank account from various nonprofits from 2017 to 2021. Each of these nonprofits received Memphis City Council and/or Shelby County Commission community grants while Ford Jr. served in office.”
The indictment reads that that another business operated by Ford Jr., Precise Solutions and Consulting, LLC was a business entity operated by Ford Jr. which described its services as real estate buying, selling and consulting. That company also received money from nonprofits that received grant funds from Shelby County, according to the indictment.
The indictment reads that while Ford Jr. was a member of the Memphis City Council and Shelby County Commission, he used his public office to secure grant funding for three nonprofit organizations, received payments from those three nonprofits for the purchase of laptops.
“In 2021, and at Ford Jr.’s direction, Individuals 1, 2 and 3 began to disguise payments to Ford Jr.,” the indictment reads.
Ford was released from custody later Friday and had entered a not guilty plea to the charges.
“We are going to fight these charges vigorously defend Mr ford innocence” Michael Scholl, Ford’s attorney said.
Fellow Shelby County Commissioner Amber Mills released a statement following the news saying that during her time working alongside Ford the last six years, she has known him to be a dedicated and honorable public servant.
“The recent federal indictment is a serious matter; however, it is essential to remember that an indictment is not a conviction,” the statement reads. “Commissioner Ford is entitled to a fair and impartial legal process, and I trust that the judicial system will handle this matter appropriately. In the meantime, the Commission remains committed to serving the residents of Shelby County and upholding the responsibilities entrusted to us.”
Shelby County Commission Chair Michael Whaley issued the following statement:
“The news involving Commissioner Edmund Ford, Jr., if proven true, is disheartening. At this time, the Shelby County Board of Commissioners shall defer to the legal process. Be assured that we take ethics and our responsibility to the citizens of Shelby County seriously. I am currently sponsoring an ordinance to amend our local ethics rules and protocol for the Shelby County Ethics Commission to increase its functionality. We will continue to faithfully serve the public in carrying out our duties.”
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