Former Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson pleaded guilty in federal court in Missouri to one count of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery. Hutchinson admitted he was hired as outside counsel for Preferred Family Healthcare Inc. and in exchange took official action in the legislature to help the Springfield-based nonprofit.
Hutchinson admitted to holding up agency budgets, initiating legislative audits, sponsoring and voting for legislation that would help Preferred Family, according to his plea agreement. Hutchinson was paid more than $350,000 in charity funds and also received hotel rooms and Major League Baseball tickets paid for by the nonprofit. Prosecutors agreed to seek the dismissal of other charges Hutchinson faced in the Missouri bribery scheme. He faces up to five years in prison without parole and a fine up to $250,000. A sentencing hearing has not been scheduled.
He also admitted in that case to accepting more than $150,000 from the co-owner of orthodontic clinics in exchange for efforts to change a dental practices law.
Hutchinson, the former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is among several Arkansas lawmakers and lobbyists who have been ensnared in federal corruption probes since early 2017. Hutchinson, 45, resigned from the Senate in August 2018 when he was first charged with spending campaign funds on personal expenses.
Jeremy Hutchinson is the son of former U.S. Sen. Tim Hutchinson and Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s nephew.
