Indicted lobbyist Milton R. "Rusty" Cranford of Bentonville, who pleaded not guilty to bribery-related charges in Missouri after his arrest in February, has a change of plea hearing set in federal court at 10 a.m. Thursday.
The hearing was set this morning, court records show. Cranford will appear before U.S. Magistrate David P. Rush in federal court in Springfield, Mo., according to the court's website.
Cranford was indicted Feb. 21 on one count of conspiracy and eight counts of accepting bribes.
Cranford also played a part in two guilty pleas and one trial conviction of former Arkansas lawmakers. In each case, Cranford paid kickbacks in return for state grants, according to court testimony and documents. He does not face any charges in Arkansas.
Cranford has remained in custody in the Greene County, Mo., jail since his arrest.
The lawmakers convicted of accepting bribes from Cranford in 2013 are former state Rep. Micah Neal of Springdale, former state Sen. Henry "Hank" Wilkins IV of Pine Bluff and former state Sen. Jon Woods, also of Springdale.
Neal and Wilkins pleaded guilty to one conspiracy charge each. Woods was convicted of 15 counts May 3 in federal court in Fayetteville. Most of Woods' counts came from another kickback scheme that did not involve Cranford.
NW News on 06/02/2018
