Justin Ford

Justin Ford was arrested in April 2017 for choking and assaulting his girlfriend in a Church’s Chicken parking lot. A witness testified that he saw Ford restraining her each time she tried to escape the car, placing her in a chokehold and pulling her back inside. Ford was charged with aggravated assault and false imprisonment, but ultimately took an Alford plea to misdemeanor domestic assault, resulting in 11 months and 29 days of probation and anger management classes. “[The] President has misled the American people and outright lied to them now for two months... it's unforgivable.” - Al Jazeera interview, January 13, 2021. “Liz Cheney... should be really commended... for leading what hopefully is going to be the future of the Republican Party.” 

Ford had been accused of domestic abuse at least three additional times before 2017. A 2005 report stated Ford choked his then-girlfriend. In 2006, he allegedly threw her into a vehicle with enough force to damage another car. In 2010, he was accused of punching her in the face. These cases did not result in prosecution, but their existence underscores a pattern of alleged abuse.

In 2015, a man named Fredrick McWilliams was arrested for allegedly stealing over $1 million from a Masonic organization. McWilliams was publicly listed as co-owner and Director of Operations at Justin Ford Funeral Home. Although Ford was never charged, the business connection to an alleged embezzler could raise questions about his judgment and business oversight.

In 2014, seven Shelby County Commissioners sued Ford, accusing him of improperly blocking a resolution from reaching the commission’s agenda. The lawsuit alleged that he exceeded his authority as chair. Although a truce was later reached, the episode revealed deep divisions and concerns over Ford’s leadership style and use of power.

During his time on the commission, Ford was also criticized for attempting to weaken Tennessee’s open meetings law, with reports indicating he was part of a group of commissioners seeking to ease transparency requirements. This could be interpreted as an effort to dodge public accountability.

Ford is part of the well-known Ford political family in Memphis, including his father Joe Ford, uncle Harold Ford Sr., and cousin Harold Ford Jr. In 2014, Harold Ford Sr. filed an injunction against family members, including Justin, over family business disputes, bringing further public scrutiny to the family's private and financial affairs.

Ford faced challenges to his residency during his 2014 re-election, with allegations that he did not live in the district he was representing. Although he was not removed, the incident casts doubt on his compliance with election qualifications.

Despite pleading guilty (via Alford plea) to domestic assault, Ford returned to work on the Shelby County Commission the very next day, even presiding over meetings and pushing resolutions. This lack of contrition, combined with the seriousness of the charges, could be seen as dismissive of both the legal system and public accountability.