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| Oren Paris III and Ecclesia College cannot hide behind their claim of being "a church." |
Judge refuses to dismiss Ecclesia FOIA case | NWADG:
"The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Jim Parsons, notes only documents related to how public money was used at the college are being sought. Parsons is represented by attorneys Chip Sexton and Joey McCutchen.
Parsons is chairman of the Benton County chapter of Transparency in Government Group. He's also a former Ecclesia board member and faculty member.
Judge John Threet ruled Thursday that Parsons has made enough of a case for the matter to proceed in court.
Ecclesia's receipt of the money entered the spotlight after former state representative Micah Neal of Springdale pleaded guilty in federal court Jan. 4 to a single fraud charge related to taking kickbacks that totaled $38,000 for helping two entities receive grants through the General Improvement Fund.
Former state Sen. Jon Woods of Springdale; Oren Paris III, president of Ecclesia College in Springdale; and consultant Randell G. Shelton Jr., formerly of Alma, are accused in a federal indictment of participating in a kickback scheme."
'via Blog this'
