We didn’t know then — how could we? — that Dr. Ben Burris put then-state Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson on a $5,000-a-month retainer to champion Burris’ orthodontic agenda. That, needless to say, is not how representative democracy is supposed to work, even if the goal is worthy. read more >
Is it possible that Rusty Cranford believed he was bribing Jeremy Hutchinson for legislative actions, but Hutchinson thought he was being paid only for legal work? read more >
At virtually every meeting, Rotarians recite “The Four-Way Test of the Things We Think, Say or Do,” but I keep my mouth shut. I’m fine with the first two — Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? — because those are my personal and professional goals at all times. But the parts about building goodwill and friendship and being beneficial to all concerned — well, the things I’m paid to think, say and do don’t always pass those tests. read more >
A former Arkansas treasurer convicted of bribery and extortion charges is scheduled to begin her 30-month federal prison sentence. read more >
The former state treasurer, convicted in March 2014 of six counts of extortion, one count of attempted extortion and seven counts of bribery, is scheduled to begin her 30-month sentence in federal prison next Monday. read more >
Prosecutors scored point after point Friday, but U.S. District Judge Leon Holmes sentenced former State Treasurer Martha Shoffner to 30 months in federal prison — less than half the time that the U.S. Attorney's office sought. read more >
U.S. District Court Judge Leon Holmes on Friday sentenced former Arkansas Treasurer Martha Shoffner to 30 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release. read more >
The Arkansas Securities Department has filed a complaint against Steele Stephens, stating he has not yet paid a $20,000 fine that was ordered in May. read more >
Federal prosecutors are being given more time to respond to a filing by the attorney for convicted ex-Arkansas Treasurer Martha Shoffner. read more >
An attorney for former Arkansas Treasurer Martha Shoffner is objecting to a presentencing report that suggests she spend at least 15 years in prison for bribery and extortion convictions. read more >
St. Bernard Financial Services Inc. of Russellville will pay a $25,000 fine to the Arkansas Securities Department for failing to properly supervise broker Steele Stephens. read more >
Politics, white-collar crime, banking acquisitions, Turner Grain and more. Arkansas Business recaps the top 10 stories from the year that was 2014. read more >
Arkansas Securities Commissioner A. Heath Abshure said Tuesday that he has appointed Jack Pruniski of Hilburn Calhoon Harper Pruniski & Calhoun of Little Rock as hearing officer in the cases of Steele Stephens and Robert Keenan. read more >
A federal judge dismissed mail fraud charges against a former Arkansas treasurer Wednesday and directed officials to work on recommendations for a penalty for her previous conviction on 14 bribery and extortion counts. read more >
U.S. Attorney Chris Thyer of the Eastern District of Arkansas says his office has filed a motion to dismiss the mail fraud charges against former Arkansas Treasurer Martha Shoffner. read more >
Federal prosecutors gave Steele Stephens immunity from prosecution and let him keep the millions in bond sales commissions he received from the business relationship that resulted in the criminal conviction of former state Treasurer Martha Shoffner. read more >
A federal judge on Monday rejected Martha Shoffner's plea of guilty to a single count of mail fraud because the former state treasurer could not admit that she raised campaign funds with the intention of spending the money on personal expenses. read more >
A change-of-plea hearing has been scheduled for a former Arkansas state treasurer accused of misspending campaign funds on personal items. read more >
W. David Crain, a former representative of St. Bernard Financial Services of Russellville, has agreed to a $5,000 fine and more than $4,100 in restitution for his handling of a widow's account. read more >
You may know that the Arkansas Securities Department is after W. David Crain, a CPA who worked for St. Bernard Financial Services Inc., the Russellville firm under fire for employing Steele Stephens, a broker who bribed former state treasurer Martha Shoffner. read more >
