A local pharmacist pardoned by former President Donald Trump on his last day in office has filed suit to recover more than half a million dollars paid in his name for restitution.
John Duncan Fordham was arrested, tried and convicted in a health care fraud case led by former Georgia Rep. Robin Williams. Fordham, who operated Duncan Drugs, obtained a lucrative contract to run the pharmacy at the Community Mental Health Center of East Central Georgia. In exchange for $1 million in incentive bonuses Fordham kicked about a third of that to Williams.
Williams used his friendship with the center’s director, Michael Brockman to maneuver his way in the center’s coffers. In addition to Brockman and Fordham, Williams brought in former Atlanta Brave pitcher Rick Camp and lobbyist Chad Long. All were convicted Sept. 15, 2005.
Williams received the longest federal sentence of 10 years. Brockman was sentenced to six years, Fordham to 52 months, Camp to 37 and Long to 33 months.
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Although Fordham was convicted fraud through the denial of honest services, which was deemed unconstitutional vague in the case of Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Fordham when he appealed on the same grounds.
The same argument was made to Trump in applying for the pardon, which Trump granted.
In Fordham’s suit filed Sept. 7 against the Georgia Department of Administrative Services and the Great American Insurance Co. Fordham contends he should be reimbursed for the funds taken by forfeiture and paid in cash.
Fordham’s attorney Jack Long said by email Thursday, Sept. 8, that Fordham should now be cleared to return to his former professional as a pharmacist.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.Â
