FCC PoI

On April 26, 2023, Jeremy Hutchinson, a former Republican senator from Arkansas and a member of a prominent political family, was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison by a court in Kansas City, Missouri. This sentence stemmed from his conviction on a charge of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery. It is to be served consecutively to previous sentences totaling three years and 10 months for similar convictions, including false tax return filing and bribery, in the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas, resulting in a total prison term of 8 years.

Between May 2014 and 2017, Hutchinson served as outside counsel for Preferred Family Healthcare Inc., a Missouri-based nonprofit organization. During this time, he admitted to delaying agency budgets, initiating legislative audits, and sponsoring and voting for legislation that favored Preferred Family. In exchange, he received compensation exceeding $350,000 in charitable funds, along with hotel rooms and Major League Baseball tickets funded by Preferred Family.

In addition to Hutchinson, several other former executives from the charity and former members of the Arkansas state legislature have pleaded guilty in federal court as part of an extensive, multi-jurisdiction investigation.

In 2022, Preferred Family Healthcare acknowledged its responsibility for criminal actions by former officers and employees. They entered into a non-prosecution agreement and agreed to pay over $8 million in forfeiture and restitution to both the federal government and the state of Arkansas, as stated by prosecutors.