WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. (localmemphis.com) — The West Memphis, Arkansas, mayor is defending the appointment of a convicted felon hired to run a city department.
Steven Jones served federal prison time back in 2016 on a bribery charge.He’s now Director of Business and Community Relations in West Memphis.
Mayor Marco McClendon cleared the air to me Thursday. A WestMemphis release earlier this week about Jones’ appointment detailed hiscredentials, but failed to mention his conviction of prison time.
Thursday, while Jones declined comment himself, the mayor saidJones paid his debt to society and is best equipped for this director job.
“He without sin cast the first stone,” Mayor McClendonsaid.
A second chance for a convicted felon. That’s how the West Memphismayor views his appointment of Jones.
The mayor recently selected him as Director of Business andCommunity Relations after considering a dozen candidates.
“He by far, outshined everyone else in the interview,”Mayor McClendon said.
Jones will be in charge of making West Memphis more attractive forbusinesses and promoting city services and programs.
The 54-year-old started the position this week, but comes to WestMemphis city hall with a criminal past. He served 20 months in federal prison,after pleading guilty to accepting bribes from a mental health business owner,while serving as deputy director of the Arkansas Department of Human Services.
“I did ask him about it, and he laid out all the details tothe situation and after hearing it and looking at a few different things, I wascomfortable with hiring him,” Mayor McClendon said.
Mayor McClendon believes Jones’ additional past experience infinance and as a state legislator makes him well-suited to help revitalize WestMemphis’ struggling small business thoroughfare.
“We have a lot of empty businesses and stores on Broadway andone of the ways to fulfill Main Street is be able to tap into the local markethere,” Mayor McClendon said.
The mayor said he’s also confident Jones’ responsibilities won’tput him at risk of re-offending.
“There is no decision financially that he would be able tomake on his own that would compromise anything with the city,” MayorMcClendon said.
The West Memphis Chamber of Commerce declined comment on theappointment of Jones.
Based on records of his sentencing, Jones is on supervisedreleased until December 26th.