-Caveat Lector- Arkansas state senator indicted on corruption charges Copyright � 1999 Nando Media Copyright � 1999 Associated Press By DAVID A. LIEB LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (April 27, 1999 6:28 p.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com) - A 28-year veteran member of the Arkansas Senate was indicted Tuesday on charges that he netted $1.3 million through fraudulent contracts and kickbacks. The federal racketeering indictment named state Sen. Nick Wilson and nine other people on charges of mail fraud, obstruction of justice and money laundering. U.S. Attorney Paula Casey said the scheme involved the "corruption of the Arkansas General Assembly with Wilson as the leader and primary decision-maker and planner." The indictment alleges that Wilson benefited from a $3 million grant program he helped set up in 1997. The grants pay for legal work performed on behalf of children caught in the middle of custody cases and for attempts to enforce payment of child support money. Prosecutors alleged that Wilson submitted bills under that program for work he never performed, and directed attorneys to pay him kickbacks for work they performed. The program was halted soon after it began, when news reports raised questions about its propriety. Bill Walmsley, an attorney for Wilson, said he expected the senator to plead innocent. "Any time that you have a citizen Legislature such as Arkansas has, where those legislators basically make their living with work outside of their legislative duties, there always are fine lines," Walmsley said. Wilson, a Democrat, is considered one of the state Senate's most powerful members because of his 28 years in office and his skills as a power broker. Also indicted were state Sen. Michael R. Bearden and former senators Steve Bell and Michael Todd. Todd and Bell worked on the grant program legislation with Wilson. Others named in the indictment were lawyers Murrey L. Grider - Wilson's former law partner - and his son M. Joseph Grider. Two others named, Tommy Venters and Burton Elliott, are former directors of the state Education Department. Attorneys for the others did not return calls seeking comment. (Compiled Code) Copyright � 1999 Nando Media DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
