Tyrone N. Butts
APE Reporter
Rickey Peete (Memphis City Council)
Edmund Ford (Memphis City Council)
Joe Cooper
Two Memphis City Council members arrested on public corruption charges
Action News 5 has learned that Memphis City Council members Rickey Peete and Edmund Ford have been arrested on public corruption charges, alongside former Shelby County Quarterly Court member and sometimes lobbyist Joe Cooper. Cooper was also an aide to the late William B. Tanner, promiment Memphis businessman.
The two Council members are accused in federal complaints - following an investigation called "Operation Main Street Sweeper" - of taking bribes to forward favorable recommendations to the Land Use Control Board, or L.U.C.B., to repeal a moratorium on billboards on October 27th. Cooper is charged in a separate investigation called "Operation Clean Sweep" with money laundering with convicted drug dealers.
According to the complaint, Peete was paid $12, 000 at his office on three dates (September 12th, 20th and October 4th). Ford was paid $6,900 total at his mortuary.
An informant told FBI agents that he had lobbying relationships with both of the Council members, telling them that he would periodically make payments to the two for the purpose of buying influence. The informant reportedly assisted Ford in securing financing for his car and for his mortuary.
Both voted in favor of the proposal to repeal the moratorium following the bribes.
FBI agents plan to interview all of the other Council members about the charges. They have indicated that their investigation is ongoing.
Both Peete and Ford were scheduled for initial court appearances today. Cooper's appearance date is unknown. Peete was released on his own recognizance. His next appearance will be for a preliminary hearing on December 20th before Judge Allen. Ford has not yet appeared.
Both were arrested today and the FBI is currently going through Rickey Peete's home on N. Mclean. Sources tell us that agents have impounded his car.
FBI agents are also at Council member Joe Brown's house and office where, we understand, they are conducting interviews.
The FBI has called a 4 P.M. news conference to make the announcements. We will be streaming it live on our web site.