Former director of South Arkansas Youth Services accepts plea deal; he ties lobbyist, senator to fun

Jerry Walsh, executive director of now-shuttered South Arkansas Youth Services agency in Magnolia, pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to funneling more than $380,000 of the agency's money to convicted lobbyist Rusty Cranford, a Cranford relative and an unnamed Arkansas state senator.

The goal of the conspiracy was to preserve state contracts held by South Arkansas Youth Services and influence state officials from taking action against Walsh's agency in exchange for enriching Cranford, his family member and the state senator, according to the plea bargain.

"This plea exposes the depths to which 'pay to play' politics has corrupted a nonprofit organization which was formed with the best of intentions, to help children," U.S. Attorney Duane "DAK" Kees said in a Thursday news release.

Walsh, 72, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy. Sentencing will come later. He is free on a $5,000 bond.

Read more: http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/jul/20/ex-agency-director-accepts-plea-deal-20/