Micah Neal Explained

Micah Scott Neal
Birth Date:8 November 1974
Birth Place:Washington County, Arkansas, USA
Residence:Springdale, Arkansas
State House:Arkansas
District:89th
Term Start:2013
Term End:2017
Preceded:Charlie Collins
Succeeded:Jeff Williams
Party:Republican
Alma Mater:Fayetteville Christian School
University of Arkansas
Occupation:Businessman
Spouse:Cindy Neal
Children:3

Micah Scott Neal (born November 8, 1974) is a businessman and politician. Neal represented part of Springdale in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2013 until 2017. From 2003 to 2011, he was a justice of the peace on the Washington County quorum court.[1] He pleaded guilty in 2017 to fraud relating to misuse of the state's surplus money.

Bribery

On January 4, 2017, Neal pled guilty to conspiring to direct $600,000 in state government funds to Ecclesia College and another non-profit organization in exchange for $38,000 in bribes.[2] He was found guilty and sentenced to one year of home confinement, two years probation, 300 hours of community service and restitution of $200,000.[3]

The plea agreement also singled out the president of the college—Oren Paris III—for direct involvement with the conspiracy.[4] Paris stated that "neither I nor anyone associated with Ecclesia College has ever participated or engaged in any activity to provide money to Mr. Neal or any other legislator in exchange for the receipt of those funds."[5]

Also indicted in the case is former state Senator Jon Woods of Springdale and Randell Shelton, Jr., of Alma in Crawford County, Arkansas.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Micah Neal, R-89. arkansashouse.org.
  2. Web site: Arkansas State Representative Pleads Guilty to Bribe Conspiracy . 2017-01-04 . en.
  3. News: September 13, 2018 . Former Arkansas State Representative Sentenced To Three Years Probation For Wire Fraud . Western District of Arkansas, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Department of Justice .
  4. Web site: Micah Neal Plea Agreement in United States District Court, Western District of Arkansas . 2017-01-04 . en . 2017-01-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170110020149/http://posting.arktimes.com/media/pdf/agreement.pdf . 2017-01-10 . dead .
  5. Web site: Ecclesia College Responds To Reports Of Involvement In Bribery Scheme Investigation. 2017-01-06. Fort Smith/Fayetteville News 5newsonline KFSM 5NEWS. 2017-01-10.