(Photo: Michael Hooks, Jr., former MCS board member, pleaded guilty to embezzlement Thursday, January 10. 2008. He was indicted as part of Operation Tennessee Waltz.)

 

 MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Shelby County has hired a former county official recently released after serving a fraud conviction.

A Memphis newspaper reported on Wednesday that Michael Hooks Jr. was hired July 16 by the county Corrections Division as a part-time recruiter for a prisoner re-entry program.

County officials said Hooks will be paid $16.41 per hour to recruit inmates to participate in the Responsible Fatherhood program. It's aimed at reducing the number of inmates who break the law again.

County Mayor A C Wharton said the program gives people what he called "another shot to make good" and said that includes its hiring.

Hooks served 30 days in jail on his guilty plea in January to accepting $1,500 in fees for Juvenile Court consulting work that he didn't do.