Former Marion County Judge Terry Ott will have to pay an Arkansas Ethics Commission (AEC) fine of $250.Online records indicate an order filed Friday notes Ott violated state law in late 2016 when he used his official position as county judge to secure special privileges for certain prohibited persons. The ruling came from retired Circuit Judge Michael Landers, assigned to the case after all circuit judges within the 14th Judicial District recused. Marion County is one of four counties in the judicial district.
Specifically, Ott hired the former county road foreman’s personal company to deliver dirt to the Marion County Fairgrounds. The former county road foreman was paid $4,500 for delivering the dirt. He then wrote checks to Ott’s wife and sister-in-law for $250 each.
Before leaving office in December, Ott used just under $30,000 in county funds from the road department for payment to attorneys in his attempt to fight the AEC fine.
In June, the quorum court met in a special session to discuss the outcomes of a legislative audit, noting three items in Ott’s office were found to be in noncompliance with state laws and accepted accounting practices.
The quorum courts focus was on the audit finding regarding restricted road funds being used to pay legal expenses for Ott related to an ethics commission hearing and an appeal in circuit court.
Prior to the special meeting in late June, 14th Judicial District Prosecutor David Ethredge told KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot news the audit findings do not point to alleged criminal activity. Ethredge said he had reviewed the findings and advised county officials he will not pursue action.
He conveyed this information to the quorum court at the special meeting, leaving the justices with the option to consider civil action.
At the end of the meeting, the court by a vote of 7-2, with justices Brady Madden and Joyce McCalla absent, voted to explore any and all civil remedies regarding recouping county funds used by the prior administration in defense of the ethics violation.
The question the quorum court justices faced is what price were they willing to spend to recoup the funds.
The ruling by the circuit judge regarding payment of the $250 ethics commission fine can be appealed.
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