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FBI chief touts investigation into West Memphis corruption
A high-ranking FBI agent in Arkansas recently cited his office’s work in combating public corruption in the West Memphis area. In announcing the creation of a new FBI hot line for reports of public corruption, Bill Temple, the agent in charge of the Little Rock office, noted that several police officers there had been convicted of crimes. Temple said evidence of the illegal activity was uncovered in an FBI sting called “Operation Gold Road.” In recent years, officers for the West Memphis Police Department and the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office have been tried on charges relating to the illicit confiscation of drugs, money and other property during traffic stops on the highways that intersect West Memphis.
Temple said public corruption is, by nature, “a hidden crime,” because it may involve a closed circle of subjects. He said that anyone with knowledge of public corruption could call the Little Rock FBI office at (501) 221-8200, or report it online at FBI.gov, and remain anonymous. “The vast majority of public officials in Arkansas are honest, and they serve their communities well,” Temple said. “But even a small percentage of corrupton at any level of government is unacceptable and is damaging to our public institutions.
