NOTE THIS ARTICLE IS NOT RELATED TO MY MOTHER’S CASE, JUST AN INTERESTING ARTICLE REGARDING POSSIBLE CORRUPTION IN HOT SPRING COUNTY.

The Sentinel-Record 3-27-1979

Malvern, Ark. (AP) – The Little Rock office of the FBI confirmed Monday that Hot Spring County records have been subpoenaed in connection with an investigation into alleged kickback schemes at the county-government level.

John Kenney, assistant director of the FBI in Arkansas, said the records would be taken before the federal grand jury when it meets April 17 in Ft. Smith.

Kenney said he expected indictments against various present and former county judges.

Kenney indicated that the investigation was an offshoot of an investigation into an alleged bribery and kickback scheme involving six former and present Northeast Arkansas county judges.

“It’s becoming a lot more widespread,” Kenney said. “Through interviewing people we are picking up information on other counties.”

He refused to say how many counties were involved in the investigation.

The records requested in Hot Spring County include warrant books from the clerk’s office and checks from the county treasurer’s office detailing the county’s purchases from 1973 through January 1976, according to the subpeoenas.

The companies involved were listed on the subpeoenas as Prattco Products Co., Bi-Search Industries and Spilka Products.

Investigations in Hot Spring County involve money from the federal revenue sharing fund and the road account, according to county officials.

Paul A. Baldwin of Atlanta, president of Lisco Inc., pleaded guilty in November to charges of paying bribes and kickbacks to six current and former Northeast Arkansas county judges.