How We See It: Ex-treasurer Earns Conviction From Federal Jurors

Despite the commission of a violation of the public's trust, it struck us as nonetheless sad to watch as 69-year-old Martha Shoffner emerged from a federal courthouse as a convicted felon. She used her position in government, as Arkansas' elected treasurer, to unlawfully enrich herself, according to the jury, and deserves her punishment. But we can't help feeling just a little sorry when someone diminishes themselves to the point of the pathetic.

And Shoffner has succeeded in becoming a pathetic figure in Arkansas political history.

WHAT'S THE PONT?

Former Arkansas Treasurer Martha Shoffner takes place as a pathetic figure in Arkansas history with her public corruption conviction.

Shoffner was arrested last year in her sixth year in office. Prosecutors said she had, for 2 1/2 years, accepted bribes from a bond broker to whom she steered hundreds of millions of dollars in state business. The broker, who ended up cooperating with the FBI, earned about $2.5 million in fees related to the transactions. Prosecutors provided evidence Shoffner had repeatedly accepted bribes totaling $36,000, ostensibly to help the Newport resident afford a place to live in Little Rock, where the treasurer's office is.

Prosecutors said Shoffner devoted considerable time to complaints about her salary, which was slightly above $50,000 a year, when some of the career accountants in her office were making as much as $80,000 a year. Testimony shows she asked the broker first to buy a building in Little Rock so she could live in free of rent. Instead, he offered to give her $1,000 per month in semi-annual payments, at least twice hidden inside pie boxes he delivered to her.

Sadly, Shoffner's strategy in trial was just as pathetic as her actions. Her attorneys denied she did anything illegal, just improper.

Thankfully, a jury saw through the veil.

"Justice was done," said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Pat Harris. "This is just a sad day when you prosecute politicians for being greedy and taking money when they shouldn't do it."We'd call it a good day. The sad day happened the moment Shoffner decided to twist her public authority into a money-making scheme for herself.We hope others will step forward to the FBI if they suspect public corruption in Arkansas government.

Keep Going, Hogs

OK, so it's the NIT and not the Big Dance. Of course that comes with disappointment, for the coach, the team and the fans.

But the Hogs live on to compete another day, and despite all the gruff about what might have been, continuing the 2013-14 version of Razorback basketball into the post-season is a good step for this team. There's still more basketball to play, and for fans of the game and the team, that means something positive.

It will be the Razorbacks' third time in the National Invitational Tournament, having played in 1987 and 1997. They could have played in 2005, too, but then-coach Stan Heath declined the invitation because his Razorbacks were "emotionally and physically tired."

We're proud this team is ready to keep playing and building for the future. We'll be there tonight cheering for the Hogs to notch another victory in a season that honestly could have gone either way, except for the developing toughness and tenacity of those young players on the court and on the bench. The team has been fun, if occasionally frustrating, to watch, and we're glad to get another chance to visit Bud Walton Arena this basketball season.

Commentary on 03/18/2014

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