Ex-Arkansas legislator, consultant found guilty in kickback trial

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.—Former state Sen. Jon Woods (R) has been found guilty on 15 of 17 counts in his public corruption trial.

Woods faced 17 counts, including 15 counts of fraud, all relating to either wire or mail transfers of money. Woods and Randell Shelton Jr., of Kemp, Texas, were charged in a kickback scheme involving state General Improvement Fund grants and Ecclesia College in Springdale. Woods was also charged in a similar scheme for AmeriWorks, a Bentonville nonprofit.

Shelton was found guilty on 12 of 15 counts.

Both he and Woods were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit fraud. Woods was also charged with one count of money laundering in connection with the purchase of a cashier's check. Woods cooperated with federal investigators from November 2015 through early 2016.

Read more: http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/arkansas/story/2018/may/04/ex-arkansas-legislator-consultant-found-guilty-kickback-trial/724760/