ame close to not receiving that credit. This case is about corruption, the judge said, describing it as using political office to enrich oneself purposely. One of the concerns I have is whether Mr. Ford understands what got him here, he said. Witnesses testify for Ford Witnesses then testified on Ford's behalf. Jarad Bingham with the Hospitality Hub said early support from Ford turned Hospitality Hub into a city resource. Before that, it was word-of-mouth and paycheck-to-paycheck. He called Ford a tireless supporter. Former County Commissioner Britney Thornton, District 10, said, Words can't describe how this has impacted him. She said his love is his constituents. I've heard him on numerous occasions reference that there is remorse for his constituents. The Rev. Donald Garner, a pastor and educator who lives in Murfreesboro and works in Nashville, said he met Ford in college, describing him as nerdy and not part of the party-animal friend group. He is very much my friend and I stand with him, Garner said. He said Ford sought spiritual advice: He really needed it. I can still remember the conversation. He just seemed shocked and devastated. Garner said they have had a bunch of discussions about remorse. Defense asks for home confinement, feds ask for 24 months Ford's attorney asked for home confinement and community service, while federal prosecutors asked for 24 months. Defense attorney Scholl called Ford a smart man and called the case a tremendous breach of trust. Everyone wants mercy but that's not what this is about, Scholl said, asking the judge to weigh Ford's accomplishments, schooling, education and hard work. He's done bad. He's also done a whole, whole lot of good for the community, Scholl said. Scholl said Ford has lost his teacher certification, real estate license, pension and his job with the county, adding he can't even get a $40,000-a-year job with the clerk's office. It's a lot to have your reputation shamed, Scholl said. You need to send a message here judge, Scholl said. A message can be sent with this without locking Mr. Ford up. I think your honor could fashion a sentence where Mr. Ford is at home for part of his confinement, Scholl said. The court should ... require him to do an extended amount of community service. Judging from the overwhelming amount of people who respect this man ... he has a big message to talk to people about, Scholl said, asking for a sentence sufficient but not greater than necessary ... send the appropriate message in this case. For the prosecution, Smith said Ford is here on five counts of tax evasion over a five-year period from 2018-2022. The unreported income ... gross number for that five-year period is approximately $310,000, Smith said. This was not a one-off mistake ... this wasn't an oversight, Smith said. Intentional tax cheating. Systematically in this case. Five years of false [tax] returns. This is a very significant amount of money. It was done methodically. It's important to point out that when Mr. Ford was confronted by law enforcement ... during an interview with federal agents ... he attempted to distance himself from certain entities, Smith said. The defendant knew what he was doing and took measures not to get caught. These are grants that are derived from tax revenue, Smith said, calling the conduct very methodical. Very intentional and very improper, leading to mistrust in the community ... distrust in government. Smith said a portion of those funds were used to buy computers for Ford's company. He said Ford got more creative with how to continue the improper behavior after a Commercial Appeal article. We just can't ignore the fact that this is where the money came from, Smith said. It aggravates the situation. We see that the conduct involving the NPOs was largely ... done in a way that was intentionally hidden. The court really has to consider general deterrence in this case, Smith said. What is the impact on the onlookers? It has to be a major factor in the court's decision. The sentence has to send a message to the community. The normal responsible taxpayer pays his or her fair share, Smith said. That has to be supported and promoted today. Smith cited a scheme over the course of five years, the lack of candor, the damage he has done to public confidence, and some kind of duality going on here in his life. He has to be held accountable. Pillar of the community ... educator ... role model ... all of that is true and exacerbates the damage done to the community, Smith said. 24 months is the correct sentence in this case, Smith said. Ford addresses the court Ford then addressed the judge himself: I did listen to every word you said, Ford said. I listened to the many concerns that you had. I have hurt people. I want to make sure that I address the damage. It deals with that resignation letter, Ford said. My legal counsel ... said ... we were on a crunch. I wanted to get it done and I heard your honor say that when you read it ... bold and arrogant. That was not the intent at all. I would have been more humble. I would have been more transparent, Ford said, if he had more time. I did not know some of those things had to be addressed. I sincerely apologize. I also want to make sure that I begin by accepting full responsibility for all of my actions, Ford said. These were my decisions, your honor, and I have no excuses at all. I am deeply sorry for the harm that I have caused. My community trusted me and as it's been stated by one or two individuals that trust has been betrayed, Ford said. I had a responsibility to act with honesty and integrity. That conduct fell short of those responsibilities and the example that I should set. I understand that my actions disappointed a lot of people. Those people believed in me. I've also caused pain to my family, Ford said, citing unnecessary worry and anguish because of what I did, talking about pain his mother and brothers and family have been feeling. Over the past few years, your honor, I have spent time reflecting on the consequences of what I did, Ford said. I understand that remorse requires more than regret. This experience has brought me patience. This has also helped me better understand my responsibilities to my family and my community. Service has been an important part of my whole life, Ford said. Going forward I want my actions, your honor, to reflect the values I hold. Rebuilding trust will take time. I'm willing to do that work ... I can start doing that tomorrow ... I can start doing that tonight. I don't expect to come back here, Ford said. I've learned from this experience. Judge hands down sentence In this case I find that the need for general deterrence and promoting respect for the law are critical concerns, the judge said. The need for just punishment is a major concern. A two-year sentence is called for here, he said, handing down a custodial sentence of two years - 24 months in prison. Sentence you to serve 24 months in prison, the judge said, adding he considered a fine but under the circumstances restitution will be enough. The court will enter a judgment in 45 days and then an amended judgment once restitution is handled. Click here to sign up for our newsletter! Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. Please include the headline.