By Rob Moritz
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK — A North Little Rock alderman resigned today after being implicated earlier this week in the federal indictment of a Cabot man accused of attempted bid-rigging on North Little Rock city contracts.
“The time and energy spent in these legal affairs will distract from my effectiveness and ability to serve the citizens of North Little Rock,” Cary Gaines wrote in his resignation letter to Mayor Patrick Hays and the city council.
Gaines’ resignation was effective today.
On Monday, federal authorities unsealed an indictment against George Wylie Thompson, who faces wide-ranging charges related to weapon and drug offenses, fraud and public corruption.
In the indictment, Thompson is accused of attempting to rig bids for North Little Rock concrete and landscaping projects in an alleged scheme involving an unnamed city alderman and an unnamed vendor. Gaines confirmed this week that he was the city official referred to in the indictment.
“It has been a privilege to serve the people of Ward 3 on behalf of the citizens of North Little Rock,” Gaines wrote in his letter of resignation, adding that in the days ahead “it appears it will be necessary for me to spend substantial time addressing the accusation that may well be formally made.”
Gaines declined comment when reached by phone this afternoon.
The U.S. attorney’s office in Little Rock said Thompson, 64, was arrested in Bangkok, Thailand, and is being held in Los Angeles pending return to Arkansas.
Thompson is also accused of being a felon in possession of 147 firearms, possessing illegal silencers, trafficking cocaine, running an illegal gambling operation and aiding and abetting marriage fraud.
Earlier today, The Times newspaper of North Little Rock filed a Freedom of Information Act request for all documents in the mayor’s office related to the alleged bid-rigging scheme, including any correspondence received by the mayor, along with office and cell phone records. Also requested were receipts of credit card charges for his recent travel, among other things.
City Attorney Jason Carter told The Times that the mayor’s office would comply with the request, but the documents had not been turned over to the newspaper by late today.
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Stephens Media reporter Jeremy Peppas contributed to this report.
