— Former state senator John Ford's public defender told federal court jurors this afternoon that contrary to prosecution claims, Ford did properly disclose his consulting work for two TennCare contractors under the state laws that existed at the time.

Asst. Public Defender Isaiah Gant also said, in a 20-minute opening argument, that the government's case is built around the testimony of Ford's business partner, Ronald Dobbins of Philadelphia, and that Dobbins told FBI agents in their first interview of him that their firm -- Managed Care Services Group -- was hired by Doral Dental Services to generate business outside of Tennessee. That, Gant said, would not have been illegal.

The government has charged that Ford did not disclose to state or federal officials that he was a consultant... // commercialappeal.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A government prosecutor told jurors in Nashville Wednesday that evidence will show former state Sen. John Ford of Memphis took money from state contractors while he was promoting their interests in his role as an elected official.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli Richardson delivered his opening statement in Ford's corruption trial.

Ford is accused of accepting $800,000 from TennCare contractors Doral Dental and... // WZTV

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A government prosecutor told jurors that evidence will show former state Sen. John Ford took money from state contractors while he was promoting their interests in his role as an elected official.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli Richardson delivered his opening statement in Ford's corruption trial on Wednesday morning. The defense was scheduled to make its opening statement after a lunch break.

Ford is accused of accepting $800,000 from TennCare... // WRCB-TV