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| "I think it is great to take money from Satan and [the] Kingdom of darkness and put it to Kingdom of God use," Paris said in one of his replies to Woods in that day's text exchange." |
Job for Woods' fiancee followed grant receipt, records show:
"Paris pleaded guilty April 4 to one count of conspiracy and will testify for the government. He resigned as Ecclesia's president and from the college's board the previous day. His sentence is pending. Paris disguised the kickbacks as consulting fees paid to Shelton's company, Paradigm Strategic Consulting, according to the indictment. Shelton then passed the money along, the government contends.
The texts between Woods and Paris placed into evidence Monday also show Woods turned to a medical marijuana legalization plan to help support Ecclesia College after both the governor and state Senate leadership announced plans in 2015 to reduce the General Improvement Fund to help pay for tax cuts.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson told Woods on July 1, 2015, he wanted tax cuts, not more grants given by lawmakers to local projects, according to a text message that day from Woods to Paris. Jonathan Dismang, Senate president pro tempore, backed the governor in what Woods described as a "very disappointing" meeting the same day.
"I think it is great to take money from Satan and [the] Kingdom of darkness and put it to Kingdom of God use," Paris said in one of his replies to Woods in that day's text exchange."
'via Blog this'
