Four Lawmakers Indicted In Tenn. Corruption Probe

One Is Member of Memphis's Ford Family

NASHVILLE, May 26 -- Four lawmakers, a former lawmaker and two others were indicted Thursday in a federal investigation into the business dealings of a Memphis state senator from a powerful political family, officials said.

The defendants are charged with taking bribes from undercover investigators to influence legislation concerning a bogus company set up by the FBI. Called E-Cycle Management Inc., it purported to be a recycler of outdated electronic equipment.

Those charged include state Sens. John Ford (D), Kathryn Bowers (D) and Ward Crutchfield (D); state Rep. Chris Newton (R); and former state senator Roscoe Dixon (D). Calls to the legislators' offices were not immediately returned.

Ford also is charged with three counts of attempting to threaten or intimidate potential witnesses. The indictment said he told an undercover agent that "if he caught someone trying to set him up he would shoot that person."

Ford is alleged to have taken a payoff of $55,000 from E-Cycle Management; the other defendants allegedly got lesser amounts.

His brother is former U.S. representative Harold Ford Sr. (D-Tenn.), who served 11 terms. His nephew, Rep. Harold E. Ford Jr. (D-Tenn.), has served five terms in Congress and just entered the race for the seat held by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.).

U.S. Attorney Terry Harris said the investigation has been under way for two years and was launched after authorities got an anonymous complaint. The operation was dubbed "Tennessee Waltz."

"Public corruption is a high priority," Harris said. "Our citizens have a right to know government is not for sale."

Newton said he was interviewed earlier this month by FBI agents and was asked about legislation that would allow companies to buy and sell used electronic equipment from the state. He, Ford, Bowers, Newton and Crutchfield were among the bill's sponsors.

The bill would have required state government to route surplus computer and electronic equipment to local school districts. It also required that any equipment the schools did not need be disposed of by a qualified electronic recycling company.

Also charged were Charles Love and Barry Myers. Love is a registered lobbyist who said last week that he lobbied legislators on behalf of E-Cycle Management. Myers could not immediately be identified.