James Edward Calloway and Desi Surtane Hansford Indicted for Bribery Concerning a Governmental Program Receiving Federal Funds

Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced that on March 12, 2013, a federal grand jury in Macon, Georgia, indicted two city of Forsyth councilmen on public corruption charges. James Edward Calloway, age 60, and Desi Surtane Hansford, age 35, both of Forsyth, Georgia, were charged in the three-count federal indictment with the following charge: bribery concerning a governmental program receiving Federal Funds involving $5,0000 or more, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666 (a)(1)(B).

The indictment alleges that the defendants, elected officials, presided over a standing subcommittee responsible for receiving bids and selecting an independent company to administer services for the city of Forsyth. The alleged corruption occurred from December 27, 2012 to March 11, 2013, and involved a solicitation of $20,000 from the defendants to a service provider in exchange for influence regarding a city contract.

Mr. Calloway has been a councilman for more than 20 years. Mr. Hansford has served for six years. The defendants face a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a period of supervised release for each count.

An indictment is merely an accusation, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty.

The case was initiated and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Macon Resident Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Sonja Profit is prosecuting the case for the government. For additional information, please contact Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist, at (478) 621-2602.