Ricky Peete, a former Memphis city councilman twice convicted on bribery charges, has returned to the political arena as a consultant while drawing his pension, reports the Commercial Appeal.
(W)hen the man dubbed “Rickey Re-Peete’’ went to prison a second time, in 2007, it could have signaled his exit from Memphis politics. But 60-year-old Peete is back, working as a political consultant and drawing a city pension despite felony convictions while in elective office.
Peete collects a $10,394-a-year pension, thanks, it seems, to a loophole in a state law banning pensions for public servants convicted of malfeasance in office.
He’s trying his hand as a campaign consultant, running Rivers Edge Solutions, which he touts as a marketing and business planning company with a political component that includes “teaching successful campaign strategies including fundraising, polling, public relations, and organizational operations.’’
“I paid my dues. I have the right as anyone else to pursue a living,’’ said Peete, who recently worked as a tour guide and a suit salesman before edging back into politics.
“I made a lot of contributions to this community. I intend to make even more.’’
…Records show, however, Peete is actively making financial contributions to a range of candidates. Tapping campaign funds left over from his days as a councilman, Peete recently gave $250 to the campaign of Memphis Mayor AC Wharton, another $250 to Sara Kyle’s successful state Senate campaign last year and $500 to Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell, according to a finance disclosure statement Peete filed Jan. 30 that shows a $1,720 balance.
In fact, since his most recent release from prison in 2010, Peete has donated at least $5,700 from his former campaign war chest, “The Committee to Elect Rickey Peete-City Council,’’ to local candidates. The donations include two contributions totaling $1,150 to state Rep. Antonio Parkinson, D-Memphis.