Ford's Landlord Admits He Lied: Pleads Guilty to Perjury in FBI Investigation

As reported by Trevor Aaronson here in the Commercial Appeal

Dennis Churchwell (left), landlord of Edmund Ford Sr., leaves federal court Wednesday with his attorney, Mark McDaniel. (Photo by Mike Maple/The Commercial Appeal)

Dennis Churchwell pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to a felony perjury count related to grand jury testimony he gave as part of FBI Operation Main Street Sweeper.

The local businessman and property owner admitted he lied to a grand jury by saying indicted former city councilman Edmund Ford Sr. was not delinquent in paying rent for 3390 Elvis Presley Blvd., where the politician runs E.H. Ford Mortuary Services.

Under the plea agreement, federal prosecutors will drop five other perjury charges against Churchwell.

The politician's landlord appeared before the grand jury on March 27, 2007, as part of the FBI operation that investigated, among other things, how Ford used his elected position for personal financial gain.

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