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CEDAR HILLS -- A Cedar Hills city council member is supporting the town's mayor, who was linked to a man indicted for fraud.
Mayor Eric Richardson's name was brought up by federal prosecutors as they investigate a fraud scheme.
Richardson had business ties to Christopher Hales, who was indicted on 10 counts of money laundering and mail, bank and wire fraud in what prosecutors call a mortgage fraud scheme.
Police searched Richardson's home Sept. 2 and agents were seen removing several boxes. Richardson has not been charged.
Now some Cedar Hills city council members are speaking out against media coverage.
Council member Jim Perry wrote on a Cedar Hills forum that the mayor discussed the issue with the council. Perry added that the press has little interest in the truth and is looking to create sensation.
"I've known Eric for several years now and he has always held himself and others to the highest standards of integrity. He has certainly earned the benefit of the doubt in any case -- unfortunately the press doesn't operate that way," he wrote.
The mayor has not returned calls to talk about the allegations.
