The trial of former state Senator John Ford started this morning with a hearing regarding the former Chairman of Doral Dental – one of two companies that allegedly paid Ford as a consultant when he was still a sitting senator.
Craig Kasten invoked his 5th Amendment rights, refusing to testify without immunity. The defense considers Kasten a key witness. The prosecution contends that he has credibility issues. Judge Todd Campbell ruled that a formal declaration needs to be made as to why the government is not granting Kasten immunity.
The former executive director of Tennessee for Doral Dental did take the stand. Lisa Kinakin, testified that she and Kasten met with Ford about a plan that would allow one company to mange all of TennCare’s dental benefits.
Just about five minutes into the meeting, Kinakin says she was told to wait outside, which she did, for about 20 minutes.
Prior to the meeting, Ford had opposed the plan. In later senate actions, he supported.
Defense attorney Isaiah Gant challenged Kinakin by asking if she had ever told FBI and TBI agents about being shut out of the meeting. Kinakin could not recall if she did or did not. Gant later read the transcript from her Grand Jury testimony, in which she never mentioned the private meeting.
Later in the day, the jury heard testimony regarding Ford’s consulting contract with the other company in question, OmniCare.
Stephen Harris, the current Chief Financial Officer of OmniCare’s parent company, UAHC, read from the contract.
In it, Ford agreed to assist communications on behalf of UAHC and advise them on state issues. Later, he attended events in Mississippi and Georgia on behalf of the company. Ford was paid $8,500 a month, and $17,000 upon execution.
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