Former CEO of health firm pleads guilty in Arkansas bribery case

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A top executive at a Missouri mental health company has pleaded guilty to helping bribe Arkansas lawmakers to influence state legislation and boost company profits.

Marilyn Nolan, former CEO of Preferred Family Healthcare Inc., pleaded guilty last week to conspiracy in federal court in Springfield, Missouri, according to court records.

She admitted to stealing millions with other executives at Preferred Family, which she said violated federal laws that prohibit nonprofits from making campaign contributions or lobbying, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.

Nolan, who alone received more than $4.1 million, is the highest-ranking executive to plead guilty in the political corruption investigation so far. Nolan's guilty plea names former Arkansas lobbyist Milton Russell Cranford, who has pleaded guilty to bribing convicted former state Sen. Jon Woods, former Rep. Henry Wilkins IV and an unidentified legislator. Woods and Wilkins were also named in Nolan's plea.

Read more: https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/crime/2018/11/13/former-preferred-family-ceo-pleads-guilty-arkansas-bribery-case/1995457002/

Cross-posted in the Missouri Group.