The corruption runs very deep in the Arkansas Legislature and with Lobbyists and the November 2018 Ballot Issue 1! A lot of dirty money has been donated to legislators’ campaign funds to buy and influence the lawmakers’ votes on key pieces of legislation that benefit corporate America and not the people of Arkansas.
Alarmed yet? You should be! Several of those in power have already been indicted, more indictments are coming, and many guilty pleas from elected officials have been entered. MILLIONS of dollars are involved… and it looks like Medicare and Medicaid funds are included, also!
Please subscribe to and read your newspapers. This malicious scandal is unfolding now, right before our eyes, and you will need to keep up before you vote this November 2018.
Credit – Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Milton Russell “Rusty” Cranford
Former lobbyist at the
Arkansas State Capitol
(known criminal)
Milton Russell “Rusty” Cranford is one criminal lobbyist who pled guilty to bribery, embezzlement of MILLIONS of dollars, and Murder-For-Hire.
Read the latest article dated June 7, 2018, from the Springfield News Leader(Missouri). Here’s a snippet:
A former Springfield charity executive accused of embezzlement, bribery and attempted murder-for-hire pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court.
Milton “Rusty” Cranford, 57, pleaded guilty to bribing Arkansas elected officials in a multimillion-dollar scheme and embezzling millions from the charity along with other executives.
Cranford is a former executive of the Springfield-based charity Preferred Family Healthcare, as well as a lobbyist in Arkansas.
The following articles are from the U.S. Department of Justice, Western District of Missouri. Be sure you click on the links and read about this to see what is happening!
June 7, 2018
Former Charity Executive Pleads Guilty to Bribery and Embezzlement Scheme
… charity employee, former Arkansas State Representative Eddie Wayne Cooper. In exchange for Cranford’s role in facilitating the …
February 21, 2018Former Charity Executive, Arkansas Lobbyist Indicted for $1 Million Bribery Scheme
… The indictment alleges that Cranford and co-conspirator Eddie Wayne Cooper, 51, of Melbourne, Arkansas, received $264,000 in secret kickback …
Milton Russell Cranford, aka “Rusty,” 57, of Rogers, Arkansas, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of federal program bribery. Cranford was an executive at Preferred Family Healthcare Inc. (formerly known as Alternative Opportunities Inc.), a nonprofit corporation headquartered in Springfield, and oversaw the charity’s operations and lobbying efforts in the state of Arkansas. Cranford also operated three lobbying firms: The Cranford Coalition, The Capital Hill Coalition and Outcomes of Arkansas.
By pleading guilty today, Cranford admitted that he and other Preferred Family Healthcare executives paid bribes to Arkansas State Senator Jonathan Woods, Arkansas State legislator Henry Wilkins IV, a person identified in court documents as “Arkansas Senator A,” and others, to provide favorable legislative action for Cranford, his clients, and Preferred Family Healthcare. In exchange for the bribes paid by Cranford, the officials identified in the Information steered Arkansas General Improvement Fund (GIF) money to Preferred Family Healthcare and other Cranford clients; held up agency budgets; requested legislative audits; and sponsored, filed and voted for legislative bills that favored the charity and Cranford clients.
February 12, 2018
Former Arkansas Lawmaker Pleads Guilty to $4 Million Charity Scheme
… from a Springfield, Mo.-based health care charity. Eddie Wayne Cooper, 51, of Melbourne, Ark., waived his right to a grand jury and …
Milton Russell Cranford, also known as “Rusty,” 56, of Rogers, Arkansas, was charged in a nine-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018.
Cranford was both a lobbyist and an employee of Preferred Family Healthcare, Inc. (formerly known as Alternative Opportunities, Inc.), a nonprofit corporation headquartered in Springfield. Cranford served as an executive for the charity’s operations in the state of Arkansas. Cranford also operated three lobbying firms, The Cranford Coalition, The Capital Hill Coalition and Outcomes of Arkansas.
The indictment alleges that Cranford and co-conspirator Eddie Wayne Cooper, 51, of Melbourne, Arkansas, received $264,000 in secret kickback payments from co-conspirator Donald Andrew Jones, also known as “D.A.” Jones, of Willingboro, New Jersey, who was paid nearly $1 million by the charity in a bribery scheme that lasted almost six years, from February 2011 until January 2017.
Cooper, a former state representative in Arkansas from 2006 through January 2011, worked for The Cranford Coalition as a lobbyist and held a full-time position as regional director for Preferred Family Healthcare. Jones was a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based political operative who owned and operated the firm, D.A. Jones & Associates, which purported to provide political and advocacy services, including consulting, analysis, and public relations. Neither Cooper nor Jones are charged in the indictment with Cranford; they each have pleaded guilty in separate cases.
Milton Russell “Rusty” Cranford (Rogers, Arkansas) has been one of the most sinister former lobbyists we know who has pled guilty to bribing ourArkansas Legislators. He was chief executive of the non-profit AmeriWorks in Bentonville, Arkansas (formerly known as Alternative Opportunities, Inc. that was headquartered in Springfield, Missouri) and was accused of paying kickbacks to former Senator Jon Woods and former Representative Micah Neal. He was also the Cranford lobbyist for the Cranford Coalition, the Capitol Hill Coalition and Outcome Arkansas! He has been involved with campaign contributions to members of the U. S. Congress.
Prosecutors are saying that this corrupt man’s scheme was able to affect our:
Medicare and Medicaid and other government funds from the taxpayer are involved!
Follow the dirty money once again, dear reader. Secure Arkansas knows that there is much more to be uncovered and revealed to the public!
Here’s another earlier article from March 2018 from the Democrat Gazetteshowing how threatening and brutal it’s become at the State Capitol, and it’s been proven that it has the potential to become deadly … Murder-For-Hire!
Former Charity Executive In Jail For Bribery Allegedly Planned Murder-For-Hire of ‘Snitch’
by Gina Tron April 4, 2018
Milton “Rusty” Cranford allegedly plotted the death of co-defendant Donald Andrew Jones in a $1 million bribery scheme.
Here are the court documents: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri Southern Division Case No 18-03020-01-CR-S
Many Arkansas legislators have been guilty of directing an enormous amount of money from Arkansas’ General Improvement Funds (GIF) to Preferred Family Healthcare and other clients of the guilty former lobbyist Rusty Cranford.
It looks like all lobbyists are there for one purpose, and that is to buy off or influence the legislators in exchange for favorable votes to advance their agenda. Isn’t this bribery?
The Constitution of the State of Arkansas of 1874 Arkansas Article 5, § 35. states: “Bribery of member of General Assembly or state officer: Any person who shall, directly or indirectly, offer, give, or promise any money, or thing of value, testimonial, privilege or personal advantage to any executive or judicial officer, or member of the General Assembly; and any such executive or judicial officer, or member of the General Assembly, who shall receive or consent to receive any such consideration, either directly or indirectly, to influence his action in the performance or non performance of his public or official duty, shall be guilty of a felony, and be punished accordingly.”
Preferred Family Healthcare, Inc. (PFH) is located in Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas. PFH has 47 locations in Arkansas and has reported total assets of $124,558,306.00. See the 2015 IRS 990 Filing EIN 43-1236557. The IRS Filing lists a $547,750 public relation fee going to Cranford Coalition in Little Rock at 1610 W 3rd Street. The latest IRS filing for Preferred Family Healthcare, Inc. also shows Milton Cranford as Executive VP with an Arkansas total compensation for 2015 as $274,773.
FBI, TAKE NOTICE! Breaking News — we’ve found the following on the Arkansas Secretary of State website! The Cranford Coalition has the same address as ALL of the Arkansas Lottery entities listed below located at 1610 West 3rd, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Milton Cranford is listed as the Registered Agent of the seven corporations listed below on the Arkansas Secretary of State website.
Name | City | State | Status |
AMERIWORKS | BENTONVILLE | AR | Good Standing |
ARKANSAS LOTTERY ASSOCIATION | LITTLE ROCK | AR | Good Standing |
ARKANSAS STATE LOTTERY ASSOCIATION | LITTLE ROCK | AR | Good Standing |
ARKANSAS STATE LOTTERY RETAILERS ASSOCIATION | LITTLE ROCK | AR | Good Standing |
ARKANSAS STATE LOTTERY SYSTEMS AND SUPPLIERS ASSOCIATION | LITTLE ROCK | AR | Good Standing |
CRANFORD & ASSOCIATES, INC. | DODDRIDGE | AR | Revoked |
THE CRANFORD COALITION INC. | LITTLE ROCK | AR | Good Standing |
*Note: No wonder some of the corrupt Arkansas legislators were trying to block the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process during the 2017 legislative session! Talk about a vile session!!! Who were they? To name a couple, don’t forget Sen. Bart Hester and now recently elected to the Arkansas State Senate, Rep. Bob Ballinger. Oh, dear!
Speaking of the vile and burdensome 2017 session, it appears we always have to return to Rep. Bob Ballinger (R). He’s a shady character who always seemed to be involved with a LOT of bad legislation at the Capitol. He has been known to handle or funnel dirty money and have his sticky fingers on it. (Remember: he was the attorney who handled the GIF grants directed to Springdale, Arkansas’ Ecclesia College whose former president, Oren Paris III, pled guilty to fraud in a kick-back scheme.)
This has greatly concerned Secure Arkansas over the years because there has been a quiet, but violent, coup d’etat going on at the Arkansas State Capitol … until now! The crooks have been trying to illegally seize our Arkansas State government with bribes, payoffs, and schemes and using our lawmakers in order to perpetrate more harmful legislation upon the public … but currently they are having their little ring of power broken up and exposed! Thank goodness, dear reader! There’s a lot of money and political power at stake here, and many more manipulative, powerful players with deep pockets behind the scenes involved in our political overthrow.
What we need here is a political uprising from the outraged public demanding rectitude, accountability, transparency, truth, and justice from all of our elected officials! We the people should never let an elected official get away with such high-handed criminality! It’s time we pay attention because the abuse of public trust has happened and is continuing to happen in our government.
Now, let’s address Issue 1 which will be on the 2018 November ballot to be voted on by the public. VOTE NO – Remember this issue was able to be put on the ballot because of bribes made to our legislators.
This issue definitely needs your immediate attention! Secure Arkansas OPPOSES Issue 1. Sadly, we should remember that Issue 1 or the “Price For Life” was for sale at the Arkansas Capitol, especially during the 2015 and 2017 legislative sessions! Many dirty lawmakers picked up this deadly amendment in order to “play ball” with the shadow government, deceptively labeling it “Tort Reform”, now known as Issue 1.
More accurately, Issue 1 should be termed “forced tort control” perpetrated on the lives of the innocent or vulnerable. It has now properly been termed, “The Price For Life”. The value of one’s life should NOT be capped, dear reader! We can’t afford to be deemed “just the cost of doing business”. Should something unforseen happen that devastates your life, and should you require a civil suit to settle matters, we would need our day in court… NOT be dismissed and left in ruin! A good, solid, and proper understanding of Issue 1 is very important to YOU and your family’s well being, dear reader!
Several of the criminal Arkansas legislators who supported this corrupt Issue 1 are now being investigated by the FBI and are under indictment, or have already pled guilty to fraud, bribes, and/or money laundering.
*Senate Joint Resolution 8 (SJR 8) which is also known as Ballot Issue 1 MUST be thrown off the November 2018 ballot. Ballot Issue 1was added by fraud! Several legislators were paid bribes to get Issue 1 added to the ballot.
Remember Michael Morton, the owner of 67 nursing homes in Arkansas? His political donations are immense, and his political power is mighty. Morton supports Issue 1 “Tort Reform” and donated about $24,000 to Judge Maggio’s 2013 campaign. Shortly after this donation, Maggio reduced the judgment against Morton’s Greenbrier Nursing and Rehabilitation Center from $5.2 million to $1 million. Judge Maggio pled guilty and was convicted of bribery.
Listed below are the campaign donations to State Senators, State Representatives, the State Auditor, and the State Treasurer from Michael Morton. You can see for yourself how much power and influence this man has over our legislative body of elected officials, including the executive branch, and our guess is that these amounts only scratch the surface!
Secure Arkansas’ Note: Sadly, similar events have been done by Delta Dental regarding the way they bought the vote for mandating fluoridation in all public water supplies in Arkansas with over 5,000 persons.
Contributor | Amount | Candidate Name | Receipt Date |
Michael Morton | $2,700.00 | Eddie Joe Williams | 08-15-15 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Justin Boyd | 07-13-15 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Blake Johnson | 12-11-14 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Blake Johnson | 12-11-14 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | David Meeks | 10-03-14 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | David Meeks | 10-03-14 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Dwight Tosh | 09-15-14 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Charles S. Collins | 09-15-14 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Terry W. Rice | 09-11-14 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Andrea Lea | 09-08-14 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Melissa Irvin | 05-06-14 |
Michael Morton | $1,000.00 | Andrea Lea | 12-23-13 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Duncan Baird | 12-05-13 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Johnny Key | 10-24-13 |
MICHAEL MORTON | $2,000.00 | Melissa Irvin | 10-18-13 |
MICHAEL MORTON | $2,000.00 | Bruce Holland | 10-14-13 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Jason Rapert | 10-10-13 |
MICHAEL MORTON | $2,000.00 | Charlotte Douglas | 10-04-13 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Larry R. Teague | 09-19-13 |
MICHAEL MORTON | $2,000.00 | Cecile Bledsoe | 09-05-13 |
Michael Morton | $1,000.00 | Ronald Caldwell | 12-20-12 |
Michael Morton | $1,000.00 | Eddie Cheatham | 12-06-12 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Melissa Irvin | 11-01-12 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Stephanie Malone | 08-22-12 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Charlotte Douglas | 08-06-12 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Bryan King | 07-30-12 |
Michael Morton | $1,000.00 | Charles S. Collins | 05-14-12 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Chris Richey | 05-10-12 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Bruce Holland | 04-02-12 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Jack Crumbly | 01-03-12 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Johnny Key | 12-21-11 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Jason Rapert | 12-20-11 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Jason Rapert | 12-20-11 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Jason Rapert | 12-20-11 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Melissa Irvin | 11-15-11 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Eddie Joe Williams | 07-01-11 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Larry R. Teague | 06-28-11 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Bruce Holland | 12-15-10 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Jason Rapert | 11-15-10 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Eddie Joe Williams | 09-10-10 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Frank Glidewell | 05-24-10 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Frank Glidewell | 05-24-10 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Jack Crumbly | 02-05-10 |
Michael Morton | $1,000.00 | Stephanie Malone | 01-28-10 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Charlie Daniels | 11-20-09 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Charlie Daniels | 11-20-09 |
Michael Morton | $1,000.00 | Frank Glidewell | 10-03-09 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Michael Lamoureux | 09-14-09 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | John M. Hoyt | 05-29-09 |
Michael Morton | $1,000.00 | Terry W. Rice | 08-09-08 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Larry R. Teague | 06-09-08 |
Michael Morton | $1,000.00 | Stephanie Malone | 04-29-08 |
Michael Morton | $2,000.00 | Larry R. Teague | 02-23-08 |
Nursing Home mogul Michael Morton is currently mired in a shameful scandal of bribing Judge Maggio, the judge that was convicted of receiving a bribe, and the judge was defrocked.
Michael Morton and his business partner David Norsworthy, ex-Senator Jake Files, and ex-Circuit Court Judge Michael Maggio are major crooked political players! 2 of the 4 have been charged and convicted! Click here for David Norsworthy’s Financial Disclosure dated Feb. 2, 2016 filed with the Arkansas Secretary of State. David Norsworthy was appointed by Governor Asa Hutchinson to the Health Service Permit Commission, and we’re introducing you to Norsworthy because he was the one who gave the $80,000 wire transfer to Senator Jake Files.
There is an absolute direct connection between David Norsworthy and Michael Morton to bribing the proven-guilty former circuit judge Michael Maggio AND an $80,000 wire transfer to the proven-guilty former State Senator Jake Files (FFH Construction).
Strange, but one week later, after the $80,00 wire transfer was received by Senator Files, Tort Reform was introduced! These two points alone should get Issue 1 (set for this November 2018) thrown off the ballot!
*** HOT ITEM! IMPORTANT NEWS! *** See this recent and very condemning direct quote from the SW Times, June 2, 2018:
The $80,000 wire transfer from David L. Norsworthy was exposed by the Times Record in May 2017 following its appearance in court documents not listed as confidential and part of discovery in a lawsuit against Files’ now defunct business FFH Construction.
The wire transfer came into FFH Construction’s First National Bank account one week after Arkansas Senate Joint Resolution 1 was filed to amend the Arkansas Constitution concerning civil claims and court procedures. That measure died in committee, but a similar attempt to limit civil suits was revived with a petition and failed to reach a public vote as Issue 4 in 2016 when the Arkansas Supreme Court took it off the ballot.
However, a similar effort through Senate Joint Resolution 8, which Files co-sponsored, will be up for a vote in November as Issue 1. Norsworthy is currently a board member of the Arkansas Health Care Association, an advocate for Issue 1 on the November ballot.
No explanation has been given by Norsworthy or Files for the $80,000 wire transfer.
Here’s more information that will solidify the statements made above, and we’ve included an important quote from a SW Times article dated May 5, 2017.
David L. Norsworthy of Arkansas Superior Select wired $80,000 to FFH Construction on Nov. 24, 2014, according to a First National Bank document not labeled confidential and recently provided to the Times Record. The document was part of discovery in a local lawsuit against FFH Construction.
Senate Joint Resolution 1 was filed Nov. 17, 2014, as a measure to limit punitive damages in lawsuits. That measure ultimately died in committee. A similar attempt to limit civil suits was revived with a petition but failed to reach a public vote as Issue 4 last year when the Arkansas Supreme Court took it off the ballot. However, a similar effort called Senate Joint Resolution 8, which Files is a co-sponsor on, will be up for a vote in November 2018 as a proposed constitutional amendment.
And a recent quote from the Arkansas Times dated June 2, 2018:
The newspaper discovered the transfer in court documents last year. It went from David Norsworthy, a partner in ownership of nursing homes with Michael Morton, to Files one week after Files proposed a constitutional amendment aimed at discouraging damage lawsuits, such as negligence claims against nursing homes. That amendment didn’t make the ballot and a similar idea was knocked off the ballot in 2016. But the idea is back in a legislatively proposed amendment this year that is being backed financially by the nursing home industry, which wants to limit damage awards and attorney fees, along with stripping the Supreme Court of rule-making authority.
*Again, we want to reiterate: VOTE “NO” ON ISSUE 1!
Issue 1 is corrupt! This foul and reprehensible unconstitutional measure should never have been placed on the Arkansas ballot in the first place. Convicted criminals are behind Issue 1! It is a blow to the State of Arkansas, folks! It places too much power in the hands of the humiliated, unscrupulous, and defiled Arkansas legislature! (More immoral players will be exposed!) This dishonorable amendment screams, “takeover, harmful and devastating to the public” and will CHANGE OUR ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION! Why would we, the people, want to give a corrupt legislature any more power? Think about what this would do to government! Think about the consequences, also!
Even the legislation says in the title: “AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY, BY A THREE-FIFTHS VOTE OF EACH HOUSE, AMEND OR REPEALA RULE OF PLEADING, PRACTICE, OR PROCEDURE PRESCRIBED BY THE SUPREME COURT AND ADOPT A RULE OF PLEADING, PRACTICE, OR PROCEDURE.”
Two more questionable and suspicious players/lawmakers: Senator Missy Irvin (R) from Mountain View (Secure Arkansas has found that this callous woman received hefty campaign contributions for her votes many times) and Representative Bob Ballinger (R) from Berryville (looks like a corrupt shyster attorney easily bought off) both sponsored SJR 8, now known as Issue 1.
Remember that the tainted Issue 1 is being offered by the special interest groups that want to change powers, practice, and procedure as prescribed by the Supreme Court. So, Issue 1 was legislated by the General Assembly to give them MORE power and control judicially and will be served up to the general public (generally unaware) on the ballot this November. Click here for the Senate Vote. Click here for the House Vote.
Attention, Voters! On Election Day, you WILL NOT be able to read the entire amendment, known as Issue 1. You will only be able to see the popular name and title on the ballot, so click on the hyperlinked title, folks, to read the full wording: “Issue 1 – An Amendment Concerning Civil Lawsuits And The Powers Of The General Assembly And Supreme Court To Adopt Court Rules”
A lot of dirty money has gone into this corrupt issue, many bribes have taken place, and therefore many greedy legislators lined their pockets and took up this amendment. Read the newspapers!
Here’s a quote from Mike Masterson’s column in the Democrat Gazetteregarding Issue 1:
Some who oppose Issue 1 call it the “Price of Life Amendment.” By approving this unnecessary effort, special interests hope to move the authority to create rules to the Legislature (picture former legislators’ scandals regarding both nursing homes and GIF grant corruption), where the Senate and House could change or eliminate current rules in favor of their politicized versions.
Unfortunately, more bad news: It is being reported that Senator Jeremy Hutchinson (nephew of Arkansas Gov. Hutchinson) is now currently being tied to bribes and/or schemes at the State Capitol, too. He has not been charged yet… but just wait. (Secure Arkansas has heard that Senator Hutchinson will NOT be seeking re-election this November.)
Lobbyist pleads guilty in bribery scheme; Governor’s nephew implicated.
State Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson of Little Rock accepted payoffs along with former state lawmakers Hank Wilkins of Pine Bluff and Jon Woods of Springdale from lobbyist Milton R. “Rusty” Cranford, according to Cranford’s guilty plea Thursday in federal court. Jeremy Hutchinson also represented Milton R. “Rusty” Cranford in his divorce case filed in Benton County, AR.
Centennial Says Jeremy Hutchinson in Default May 14, 2018
Centennial Bank of Conway has sued state Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson for $30,037.69, plus interest and late fees, the unpaid balance of a $50,000 business loan made to him in 2011.
Here’s a summary that was mentioned in our last Secure Arkansas article:
The following are the politicians, lobbyists, and public officials involved in the governmental corruption in Arkansas so far:
Please share this article with your friends, family members, and your other associates and groups! It’s full of valuable information that needs to be passed along and shared!
Stay aware, stay involved, and stay vigilant… and remember to stay tuned!
And, as always, FOLLOW THE MONEY!
Remember: eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.
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Securing the blessings of liberty,
Secure Arkansas
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