Draft:List of Arkansas political scandals

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This article provides a list of political scandals which occurred in the U.S. state of Arkansas. It is organized in reverse chronological order from most recent to oldest.

Politician is defined as "a person who is professionally involved in politics",[1] and includes not only those elected to office, their staffs and appointees, but also those who routinely work in politics such as pollsters. Major officials of political parties and their staffs, as well as those elected by their party to be candidates are also included. Local politicians, mayors, sheriffs, and county officials should not be included.

Scandal is defined as "loss of, or damage to, reputation caused by actual or apparent violation of morality or propriety.[2] Breaking the law is always considered a scandal. The finding of a public court is the sole method used to determine a violation of law, but it is not the sole method of determining a scandal.

Please note that all people are considered innocent until proven guilty. Allegations of misconduct do not imply guilt nor do admissions of guilt in the absence of a conviction. Investigations that end without a determination do not imply innocence.

Breaches of ethics, unproven crimes or cover-ups may or may not result in inclusion depending on the amount of publicity generated, and the seriousness of the crime, if any. Notoriety and notability are a major determinant of a scandal. Politicians who resign, quit, flee, or commit suicide while being investigated or threatened with investigation may also be included.

Different scandals on different dates may result in multiple listings.

The list does not include crimes that occur outside the politician's tenure (such as before or after his term in office) unless they specifically stem from acts made while in office, such as bribery, and discovered later.

Given the political nature of legislatures where the leading party has determining power, politicians who are Rebuked, Denounced, Censured, Admonished, Condemned, Suspended, Reprimanded, Found in Contempt, Found to have Acted Improperly, or of using Poor Judgment are not included unless the scandal is exceptional or leads to further action such as expulsion, conviction or resignation. Executive pardons may or may not be mentioned, but do not erase the scandal. The verdict and legal proceedings are not affected by pardons, but may affect the sentence.

State of Arkansas[edit]

  • Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R), governor: In September 2023, attention grew regarding the expenditure of $19,000 in state funds, allegedly for a lectern, and a push by Sanders to greatly scale back the state's public records laws.[3] The scandal, known as PodiumGate[4] or LecternGate, has resulted in an audit initiated by the Arkansas State Legislature.[5]
  • Mickey Gates (R), State Representative from Hot Springs in District 22, was arrested for not paying or filing income taxes from 2012 to 2017. He was expelled from the House, found guilty at trial and was sentenced to six years of probation. (2018)[6][7]
  • Jeremy Hutchinson (politician) (R), State Senator from Little Rock in the 33rd District, was accused of wire and tax fraud for using campaign funds for personal use, lying about it and filing false tax reports. He pled guilty and resigned the same day. He was sentenced to 50 months in prison. (2017)[8][9]
  • Jake Files (R), State Senator from Fort Smith in the 8th District, admitted taking thousands of dollars in state funds intended for the construction of a sports complex. He was found guilty of fraud and money laundering and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. (2016)[10][11]
  • Jon Woods (R), State Senator from Springdale in the 8th District, was accused of soliciting and accepting kickbacks, from the distribution of General Improvement Funds. He was found guilty on twelve counts of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering. Woods was sentenced to 220 months in jail and ordered to pay $1.6 million. See also Republican State Representative Micah Neal. (2013)[12][13]
  • Micah Neal (R), State Representative from Springdale in the 89th District, was convicted of conspiracy for taking $38,000 in kickbacks from General Improvement Funds as part of the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District. Neal was found guilty and sentenced to one year of home confinement, two years of probation, 300 hours of community service and ordered to pay restitution of $200,000. See also Republican State Senator Jon Woods. (2013)[14]
  • Steven B. Jones (D), Deputy Director of the Arkansas Department of Human Services (ADHS), was accused of conspiracy involving kick backs from the distribution of General Improvement Funds. He was found guilty and sentenced to 30 months in prison. (2013)[15]
  • Hank Wilkins (D), State Representative of the 17th District, was accused of conspiracy for accepting $80,000 in bribes in exchange for influencing state legislation. He was found guilty and sentenced to one year and a day in prison and ordered to pay $123,000 in restitution. (2014)[16][17]
  • Paul Bookout (D), State Senator from the 24th District, was accused of using $150,000 in campaign funds for his person use. He pled guilty to fraud, resigned his seat and was then sentenced to eighteen months in prison and fined. (2014)[18][19]
  • Hudson Hallum (D), Candidate for State Representative from District 30, pled guilty to bribing voters and destroying ballots. He was declared ineligible for elections and sentenced to nine months home confinement, three years probation, fined, and required to do community service. (2011)[20][21]
  • Martha Shoffner (D), State Treasurer, was accused of steering state investments to a broker who gave her $36,000 kickbacks. She was arrested by the FBI on charges of extortion and bribery, found guilty and sentenced to 30 months in prison. (2011)[22]
  • Eddie Wayne Cooper (D), State Representative from Melbourne in District 71, and also Regional Director for a non-profit charity, Preferred Family Healthcare. Cooper pled guilty to conspiracy with several other PFH executives for embezzling more than $4 million which he used on his election campaign financing as well as other personal uses. (2009)[23]
  • Mark Darr (R), Lt. Governor, was accused of violating eleven ethics regulations by misusing or misreporting his use of state funds for personal items. He pled guilty, was fined $11,000 and resigned. (2009)[24]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Definition of POLITICIAN". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
  2. ^ "Definition of SCANDAL". www.merriam-webster.com. 2023-11-13. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
  3. ^ DeMillo, Andrew (4 October 2023). A $19,000 lectern for Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders sparks call for legislative audit, Associated Press
  4. ^ Bailey, Austin (9 Nov 2023). "Somebody tell the guv, you can make your own lectern for $105". Opinion. Arkansas Times. Central Arkansas. Retrieved 15 Nov 2023.
  5. ^ Cathey, Libby (25 October 2023). Sarah Huckabee Sanders defends herself from podium controversy after unusual $19K payment, ABC News
  6. ^ "State Rep. Gates sentenced to 6 years of probation for not filing taxes". thv11.com. July 30, 2019.
  7. ^ Glisovic, Marine (October 11, 2019). "Rep. Mickey Gates expelled from Arkansas House in historic vote". katv.com.
  8. ^ Glisovic, Marine (August 31, 2018). "Arkansas state senator Jeremy Hutchinson resigns after wire and tax fraud indictment". katv.com.
  9. ^ Kienlen, Alex (April 26, 2023). "Former Arkansas State Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson sentenced in bribery scheme". kark.com.
  10. ^ John P. Cronan, Acting Assistant Attorney General (April 20, 2015). "Former State Legislator Sentenced for Bank Fraud". justice.gov. US Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, Western District of Arkansas.
  11. ^ "Convicted Ex-Arkansas State Senator Denied Prison Release". 5newsonline.com. August 8, 2019.
  12. ^ "Former AR Senator Jon Woods Sentenced to 18 Years in Federal Prison". kark.com. September 5, 2018.
  13. ^ "Former Arkansas State Senator Sentenced To 220 Months In Federal Prison For Wire Fraud, Mail Fraud And Money". justice.gov. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Arkansas, U.S. Department of Justice. September 6, 2018.
  14. ^ "Legislator Avoids Jail time, Sentenced To 3 Years Probation". ualrpublicradio.org. September 13, 2018.
  15. ^ "Former DHS official sentenced in bribery scheme". kait8.com. February 18, 2016.
  16. ^ "Another sentence issued in relation to fraud case involving an Arkansas legislator". talkbusiness.net. February 26, 2020.
  17. ^ "Ex-state lawmaker Henry Wilkins IV begins prison sentence". arkansasonline.com. May 10, 2023.
  18. ^ "Former Arkansas state senator sentenced on federal wire fraud charge". katv.com. March 2, 2016.
  19. ^ Wilkey, Michael (March 11, 2015). "Former Sen. Paul Bookout Pleads Guilty To Mail Fraud". talkbusiness.net.
  20. ^ Lesnick, Gavin (September 5, 2012). "State representative pleads guilty to election fraud". arkansasonline.com.
  21. ^ "State Rep. Hudson Hallum, 3 Others Plead Guilty to Election Fraud". arkansasbusiness.com. September 5, 2012.
  22. ^ LAUER, CLAUDIA (August 28, 2015). "Ex-Arkansas treasurer gets 2 ½ years in prison". apnews.com.
  23. ^ BROWN, WESLEY (February 13, 2018). "Former Arkansas Legislator Eddie Cooper Pleads Guilty To Embezzlement". ualrpublicradio.org.
  24. ^ Bergan, Shain (January 10, 2014). "Lt. Gov. Mark Darr Announces Resignation". 5newsonline.com.
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