LITTLE ROCK — Two former Arkansas officials were sentenced on Thursday after being accused of bribing a local business owner.
According to the Department of Justice, Steven Jones, a former deputy director of the Arkansas Department of Human Services, accepted cash payments from Theodore Suhl.
Suhl is the owner of two mental health businesses that specializes in helping juveniles in the area.
The bribery scheme reportedly began back in April 2007.
In exchange, Jones would perform official acts that would benefit Suhl’s business.
Authorities said a local pastor and Phillip Carter, a former probation officer in Crittenden County and a West Memphis Council member, was the go-between for the two men.
All of the money was funneled through the pastor’s church or delivered in cash so it could not be easily traced.
The men would also meet in different restaurants throughout Memphis and rural cities in Arkansas to avoid detection.
Suhl was indicted back in December and is awaiting trial.
Jones was sentenced to 30 months behind bars after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds and honest services wire fraud, and for federal funds bribery.
He must also serve one year of supervised release and pay a fine of $6,000.
Carter was sentenced to 24 months in prison and two years supervised release for conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds and honest services wire fraud.
