I'm losing count on this guy but I'd guess this TN state senator's 15 minutes (30 yrs) of fame (aka abuse of power) are almost up.

On May 1, 2001, state Sen. John Ford expressed deep reservations about the idea of the state hiring a company just to provide dental services for TennCare, saying it ''doesn't make sense to me.''

A year later, Ford did an about-face, saying the idea would save the state health program millions of dollars, according to tapes of legislative hearings reviewed by The Tennessean.

''My vision on this might be a little bit keener than a lot of folks','' he said at the later hearing

What happened in between?

Ford isn't talking. But documents released last week show that in between the two statements, on Dec. 1, 2001, a consulting firm with ties to Ford began representing a dental services company that wanted to win business from TennCare.

The consulting firm has paid Ford, D-Memphis, at least $237,000. And the dental company, Doral Dental, has an $18 million contract with TennCare, the state's health insurance program for the poor, uninsured and uninsurable.

The payments have sparked a Senate ethics investigation and a review by the Tennessee attorney general.

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The Tennessean was nice enuf to post his public servant contact info. I really hope the spambots don't see it.

State Sen. John Ford, D-Memphis
Mail: 7 Legislative Plaza, Nashville, Tenn. 37243-0029
Phone: 615-741-3304
E-mail: sen.john.ford@legislature.state.tn.us