NASHVILLE, Tenn.- The planned Thursday arraignment for former state Sen. John Ford on different federal charges rescheduled to Friday, Jan. 19.
The Memphis lawmaker was expected to enter a plea in Nashville. Michael Scholl, Ford's Memphis attorney, said that Ford needed more time to hire counsel in Nashville.
Ford was charged with allegedly taking money to influence TennCare deals.
Federal prosecutors said he served as a paid consultant for OmniCare and Doral Dental, which were contractors with TennCare, the state's Medicaid program.
Ford chaired a committee handling TennCare issues and he did not recuse himself.
Ford resigned from the Tennessee legislature after he was indicted on charges of taking bribes in Operation Tennessee Waltz, a two-year undercover investigation of state lawmakers.
Ford has pleaded not guilty in that case.
A six-count indictment unsealed in December alleges that Ford got legislation passed that helped the two companies land state contracts.
Federal prosecutors said Ford was paid more than $800,000 because of those deals.
Ford is expected to plead not guilty.
