Another Light Prison Sentence for a Political Felon and One Percenter in Corrupt US Federal Courts

Ex-state senator Hutchinson sentenced to 46 months in federal prison

FEB 3, 2023 | REPUBLISHED BY LIT: FEB 6, 2023

A former state senator and member of a powerful Arkansas political family was sentenced Friday to 46 months in federal prison for bribery and filing a false tax return.

He was involved in a bribery and tax avoidance scheme that the judge said was “not a case of someone who is just bad with numbers,” but the result of deliberate choices made by the defendant.

Jeremy Hutchinson, 48, the son of former congressman Tim Hutchinson and nephew of former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, was sentenced to a prison term that is a full two years below the low-end guideline range of 70 to 87 months that was calculated from federal sentencing guidelines.

In addition, U.S. District Judge Kristine G. Baker ordered Hutchinson to pay $355,535.10 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service and the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration.

The U.S. Attorneys office had asked Baker to sentence Hutchinson to 6-1/2 years in prison. Timothy Dudley, Hutchinson’s attorney, had asked Baker to sentence his client to one year and one day in prison.

Hutchinson pleaded guilty to the charges — which were contained in two separate indictments across two separate federal districts before being merged into a single case — on June 25, 2019, in Baker’s court. The next month, in the Western District of Missouri, Hutchinson pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud a federally funded charity, for which he faces a maximum sentence of five years. Sentencing in that case has not been set.

The former legislator admitted to filing a false income tax return in 2012 that under-reported his income in the 2011 tax year, and to making additional false statements on subsequent tax returns through 2014.

Hutchinson also admitted to conspiring from 2014-17 to commit bribery with Benjamin Burris of Fort Smith, who was the co-owner of orthodontic clinics in Arkansas. Hutchinson admitted to accepting more than $157,000 from Burris over a period of nearly three years beginning in February 2014. Hutchinson admitted the payments, disguised as legal fees, were paid for him to further legislation favorable to the Burris’ businesses.

Hutchinson was allowed to remain free on bond until he is to report to prison March 6.

Lawyer Clay Vilt’s is a Fraudster, Scammer, Liar and Cheat and both the Federal and State Judiciary Are Shielding Him. Why? We have a hunch, it’s called unlawful Kickbacks. https://t.co/5arf3GiOY9 Ask ’em Outlaws and Bandits: @USAO_SDTX @FBIHouston @USMarshalsHQ @TheJusticeDept pic.twitter.com/Bp9EJ6Jgkp

— lawsinusa (@lawsinusa) February 5, 2023

Pryor’s testimony for Kristine Baker appointment

JAN 29, 2012 | REPUBLISHED BY LIT: FEB 6, 2023

Last week at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Mark Pryor testified on behalf of Kristine Baker of Little Rock, nominee for the U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Below is Pryor’s prepared testimony:

I would like to thank Chairman Leahy, Ranking Member Grassley and members of the Committee for allowing me to introduce Kris G. Baker. I would also like to thank the family and friends of Kris who have made the trip to Washington, DC to be with her on this special day. Thank you all for being here.

I am honored to sit before you today and recommend Kris for confirmation as a federal judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Throughout the confirmation process, I believe this Committee will come to understand why Kris has earned a reputation in legal circles and around the state of Arkansas as a hard worker and brilliant lawyer.

While this Committee has seen more than its share of polarizing nominees, you will find Kris is not. She is well respected for her extensive experience in civil matters and has a strong commitment to a fair, impartial legal system.

I have a three-pronged approach when considering judges. First, is the the person qualified? Second, do they have the proper judicial temperament? Third, do they have the ability to be fair and impartial? As you learn more about this candidate, I believe you will also find that she meets and exceeds these criteria.

Currently a partner at the law firm Quattlebaum, Grooms, Tull & Burrow in Little Rock, she specializes in commercial, employment, and First Amendment litigation. Kris joined the firm as an associate in 2000 and became a partner in 2002. Previously, she worked at the law firm Williams & Anderson from 1998 to 2000. She began her legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Susan Webber Wright of the United States District Court for the Eastern District from 1996 to 1998. Kris earned her law degree with honors from the University Of Arkansas School Of Law and her B.A. from the Saint Louis University in 1993.

I have reviewed Kris’ work and have been impressed with her record. I am not alone. She has been recognized as one of Chambers and Partners’ America’s Leading Lawyers for Business; named a Rising Star by Mid-South Super Lawyers; and listed with The Best Lawyers in America, the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers and Arkansas Business’ Forty Under 40.

Character and integrity is also important. Kris has done extensive pro bono work, representing clients in a variety of cases through the Pulaski County Bar Association’s Volunteer Organization Center for Arkansas Legal Services (“VOCALS”) and helping elderly and sick prisoners receive proper medical care.

I am confident Kris will serve the Eastern District of Arkansas with distinction.