Ford Fights to Keep License to Sell Insurance in Tenn.

Former Tennessee State Sen. John Ford is fighting to keep his license to sell insurance, but the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance says the Memphis Democrat shouldn’t because he’s financially irresponsible and untrustworthy.

Ford testified at a hearing Aug. 15 before administrative law judge Marion Wall of Nashville.

The state insurance department filed a petition to revoke his insurance license in January, declaring that he was no longer fit to hold one. A license is required to sell insurance in Tennessee.

Ford resigned from the Senate last year after 31 years when he was indicted on federal public corruption charges stemming from the FBI’s undercover Tennessee Waltz investigation. He is set for trial Feb. 5.

However, department officials focused their concern on the state Registry of Election Finance’s decision to fine Ford $10,000 last year for spending $15,320 in campaign money on his daughter’s wedding in 2003.

“Do we have to wait until someone takes money from an insurance client?” department chief counsel Mary Moody asked. “We submit that we do not. The department does not have to wait until an insurance client is defrauded.”

Ford testified that sanctions by the election registry were politically motivated. He said he spent $12,500 in campaign funds at the wedding and reception, but said it was only to defray the costs of inviting about 150 political constituents.

Ford said the overall cost of the affair was more than $75,000.

“You have to keep yourself out there in the public,” said Ford, contending that all politicians spend at least some funds on constituents. “You campaign every year throughout a four-year term. Those who don’t lose out and lose favor.”

Ford has been affiliated with Oseman Insurance Agency. Before his indictment, he reported $350,000 in annual income from his insurance and lobbying work.

Wall said he would rule later on whether Ford should lose his insurance license.

The state’s first petition against Ford’s license was dismissed in April by Wall, who said Ford didn’t get proper notice.

Information from: The Commercial Appeal, www.commercialappeal.com.