MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A local advertisement suggested Shelby County Commission Chairman Justin Ford might have business ties to the man authorities believed stole from the Masons.
This week, authorities arrested Fredrick McWilliams for theft of property over $250,000.
He was accused of stealing more than $1 million from the United Supreme Council 33 where he used to work.
An advertisement for Ford’s business, the Justin Ford Funeral Home, showed Ford shaking hands and smiling with McWilliams.
The ad identified “Fred McWilliams” as “Co-Owner, Director of Operations.”
The funeral home’s doors were locked Thursday.
Ford, who announced he was running for city mayor several weeks ago, has not issued a comment.
McWilliams was a building manager and IT specialist for the United Supreme Council 33.
Arrest documents indicated he made $32,000 annually.
The documents alleged the theft happened between November 2014 and April 2015.
The documents reported McWilliams wrote hundreds of thousands of dollars to himself in payroll checks.
It said he used the organization’s debit card to buy $240,000 worth of Grizzlies tickets.
An audit showed more than $1 million missing.
The Masons fired McWilliams in April.
A Facebook post on the Justin Ford Funeral Home’s page said the business opened in March.
WREG asked the District Attorney General’s Office if it was investigating the Justin Ford Funeral Home.
A spokesperson refused to comment on potential charges against someone who has not been charged.
“It remains an ongoing criminal case and the investigation remains active,” the spokesperson said.
WREG unsuccessfully tried to find McWilliams at his listed home address Thursday.
