MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The findings are in and they could mean that a Shelby County commissioner is out. That commissioner is Edmund Ford Jr., and an independent counsel's report has concluded that Ford had a serious conflict of interest involving a $450 thousand dollar county grant.
Ford helped push the grant for Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South, and at the same time he had a $45 thousand dollar side deal to sell computers to Junior Achievement.
Details of the deal were first reported by The Commercial Appeal and Ford's story kept changing. Now, an outside investigation has determined that the commissioner's conflict was not just negligent, it was intentional.
Ford never told his fellow commissioners about his business deal with Junior Achievement. And although he conveniently stepped out of the room when the final vote was taken, he did vote for the grant in committee. This is a classic case of unethical behavior and ouster proceedings absolutely should occur.
This is same commissioner who, after getting elected in August 2018, refused to give up his seat on the city council so that voters could pick his council replacement in the November midterm election. Apparently Ford wanted to draw as many city paychecks as possible while also serving in a county office.
And now this. Politicians are not above the law and it's time for Ford to learn that lesson.
And that's my point of view. I'm Otis Sanford, for Local 24 News.