FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) _ The former president of a private Christian college
in northwest Arkansas has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading
guilty for his role in a kickback scheme involving former state lawmakers.
Oren Paris III was also ordered to pay $621,500 in restitution. Paris was
president of Ecclesia College, and he admitted to funneling bribe money to the
lawmakers in exchange for state grants.
Paris pleaded guilty to in April to one count of fraud. According to Arkansas
Business , Paris said in court Wednesday he takes full responsibility for his actions and that “there’s no one to blame for my current situation other than myself.”
Last week, former state Sen. Jon Woods was sentenced to more than 18 years in
prison for his role in the scheme.
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