JEREMY HUTCHINSON: Jon Woods wants to know what he talked to the FBI about.

Still more legal paperwork today from Jon Woods, the former Arkansas senator doing 18 years in federal prison for bribery. The government has indicated, incidentally, that what he wants to see from the Jeremy Hutchinson files  might implicate some unindicted people.

His latest is a request for more time to prepare his appeal brief because he thinks recent filings in the felony case against former Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson might help him. Hutchinson has been implicated but not charged in bribery allegations related to one of the parties Wood worked with. He’s charged with dodging taxes on personal spending of campaign money.

Advertisement

Hutchinson has contended the FBI got information from him improperly when he was cooperating with them in providing information about others, such as Woods. Hutchinson, like Woods, has claimed improprieties by FBI in handling evidence, particularly using a laptop they obtained from a former girlfriend. Woods tried without success to get off on account of an FBI agent wiping Woods’ computer after the agent used it for personal purposes.

We reported earlier on Woods’ request (joined by co-defendant Randell Shelton) to review sealed documents in his case. Now, his attorneys say, they believe filings in Hutchinson’s case could be relevant to the appeal.

Advertisement

Defense counsel has reason to believe that some of the privileged information that Mr. Hutchinson provided to the FBI included exculpatory information as to Mr. Woods that was either not included or was later removed from Hutchinson’s witness interview report.

The government’s earlier response provides background. It says items under seal pertain generally to two things: the Government’s discussions with Woods’ former attorney W.H. Taylor and materials related to a “confidential human source.” In the first case, the government said it generally didn’t object to release of materials, except:

because certain of the attachments to DCD 253 suggest that certain named individuals are suspected of involvement in criminal activity; however, those individuals have not been charged with any crimes. Additionally, the district court in a subsequent order (DCD 297), which was filed publicly, described in detail the issues resolved in DCD 253, without having to identify any of the named but uncharged individuals referenced in the attachments to DCD 253

Sounds interesting.

Now as to Document 207, which Wood says relates to Hutchinson’s work as a source. The court, said the government, has already reviewed this document, which dates to November 2017, and determined it should not be made available to Woods. But it said:

Advertisement

For purposes of the instant appeal, the Government has no objection to the attorneys of record for Woods and Shelton obtaining unredacted access to DCD 207, subject to the protective order (DCD 14) the district court entered in the proceedings below.

Although recent public filings by a defendant [presumably Hutchinson] in a separate case pertain to the majority of the material outlined in DCD 207, there are certain confidential and sensitive matters discussed in DCD 207 that should presently remain under seal, as disclosure of those specific matters could interfere with ongoing investigations or could impact the rights of certain individuals. 

Again. Interesting.

Be a part of something bigger

As a reader of the Arkansas Times, you know we’re dedicated to bringing you tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, we've been fighting the good fight in Little Rock and beyond – with your support, we can do even more. By becoming a subscriber or donating as little as $1 to our efforts, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers to expand our coverage and continue to bring important stories to light. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, it's clear that our readers value our great journalism. Join us in the fight for truth.

Previous article Sale of Arkansas Business Publishing Group announced Next article Searcy a finalist for Hulu TV show