MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Former Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford is looking at a fine for working as a funeral director without a license. Truth is this isn't the first time Joe Ford has been in trouble for working without a license at his funeral home, it's just the latest.
While Ford was supposed to be at the Shelby County building working as acting mayor and collecting a $12,000 a month paycheck from taxpayers, he was also acting as a funeral director arranging funerals.
The violation occurred in February and March of 2010.
We went to the funeral home hoping to talk to the former mayor. Joe Ford's son, Justin, didn't think his dad would have a problem answering our questions after he returned from lunch. When we came back an hour later, Joe Ford's friendly demeanor changed when we started asking questions.
"Cut that off, we're not gonna do the video part… I don't like your stories; you're a character assassin. Cut off the camera and I'll answer your questions."
Truth is Ford didn't want to talk about working without a license off camera either.
Instead he said, "I don't bury no white people. That's not gonna hurt me. Black people don't care about that. Put it on 24. You'll help my business rather than hurt it."
He went on to say, "You need to get out of Whitehaven."
There may be a reason why Ford doesn't want to talk about the fine.
Truth this is the second time ford has been caught working without a license while he was also working as Shelby County Mayor. Last year he had to pay a $1,700 fine for a similar situation.
You may be wondering why Ford is being fined now for something that happened n 2010. Truth is state regulators don't act quickly. Ford could be fined again because we're told there is still another complaint under investigation.
As of now Ford has a valid license; it's good until 2014.
