Micah Neal

American politician

Micah Scott Neal

Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from the 89th district
In office 2013–2017
Preceded by	Charlie Collins
Succeeded by	Jeff Williams

Personal details
Born	(1974-11-08) November 8, 1974 (age 49) Washington County, Arkansas, USA
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Cindy Neal
Children	3
Residence	Springdale, Arkansas
Alma mater	Fayetteville Christian School University of Arkansas
Occupation	Businessman

Micah Scott Neal (born November 8, 1974) is a businessman and politician. Neal represented part of Springdale in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2013 until 2017. From 2003 to 2011, he was a justice of the peace on the Washington County quorum court.^[1] He pleaded guilty in 2017 to fraud relating to misuse of the state's surplus money.^[2]

Bribery

On January 4, 2017, Neal pled guilty to conspiring to direct $600,000 in state government funds to Ecclesia College and another non-profit organization in exchange for $38,000 in bribes.^[3] He was found guilty and sentenced to one year of home confinement, two years probation, 300 hours of community service and restitution of $200,000.^[4]

The plea agreement also singled out the president of the college—Oren Paris III—for direct involvement with the conspiracy.^[2] Paris stated that "neither I nor anyone associated with Ecclesia College has ever participated or engaged in any activity to provide money to Mr. Neal or any other legislator in exchange for the receipt of those funds."^[5]

Also indicted in the case is former state Senator Jon Woods of Springdale and Randell Shelton, Jr., of Alma in Crawford County, Arkansas.

References

^ "Micah Neal, R-89". arkansashouse.org. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
^ ^a ^b "Micah Neal Plea Agreement in United States District Court, Western District of Arkansas" (PDF). 2017-01-04. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-01-10. Retrieved 2017-01-09.
^ "Arkansas State Representative Pleads Guilty to Bribe Conspiracy". 2017-01-04.
^ Western District of Arkansas, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Department of Justice (September 13, 2018). "Former Arkansas State Representative Sentenced To Three Years Probation For Wire Fraud".{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ "Ecclesia College Responds To Reports Of Involvement In Bribery Scheme Investigation". Fort Smith/Fayetteville News | 5newsonline KFSM 5NEWS. 2017-01-06. Retrieved 2017-01-10.