Failed Northwest Arkansas pediatric clinic owner Anthony Christopher and his high-powered Little Rock attorney Patrick Benca made an appearance today in Pulaski County Circuit Court to enter a not guilty plea and waive arraignment in Christopher's felony Medicaid Fraud and Identity Fraud case.
The Honorable Wendell Griffen of the 5th Division of the 6th Circuit, accepted a not guilty plea and allowed Christopher to remain free on bond until his scheduled trial on May 25 at 9 am.
Christopher also faces an Omnibus hearing on April 26 to determine the evidence, including testimony and evidence seized at the time of arrest.
The setting of the trial date flies in the face of information Today in Fort Smith has obtained from three separate sources who says that Christopher has openly bragged that the case would never go to trial. Pending a last minute negotiated plea deal to one of the two lesser Identify Fraud charges, it looks as if the matter will be settled by a jury trial.
A Class A Felony carries a minimum sentence of six years, but no more than thirty years. Class D felonies in Arkansas are punishable by up to six years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
You can see a recap of six of the stories containing the gist of the information concerning the situation --including Christopher's Affidavit for Warrant detailing his alleged crimes--by clicking HERE.
There was also the dismissal of an arrest warrant against Christoper in today's court proceedings. It is unclear if that was a clerical warrant or a second arrest warrant issued after his initial arrest.
Since that recap of stories was printed in April, there have been several other developments surrounding Anthony and his ownership of an alternative night club in Eureka Springs.
In late July, the club came under scrutiny went then-Entertainment Director "Ginger Styles" made a Facebook announcement in late July concerning "kid friendly" drag shows at Eureka Live.
Wanda Eash, the mother of Anthony Christopher, is the official registered agent for Eureka Live and the Legacy Preparatory School in Bentonville, according to information obtained from the office of the Arkansas Secretary of State and Christopher had ties to the elite facility, which caters to a very young clientele.
All the information on that situation can be accessed by clicking HERE.
In November "Styles" resigned from the position of Entertainment Director of Eureka Live under mysterious circumstances (click HERE) just a few days after a former employee came forth and claimed Christopher told them to keep the fact that the employee had tested positive for Covid-19 after working a shift of several hours at the bar from the other employees.
The Covid-19 cover-up allegations can be viewed HERE.
In the interim, the former owner of Eureka Live filed a lawsuit naming Christopher and several other plaintiffs conspired to take control illegally. Cordale Moore's story of that alleged illegal takeover can be accessed HERE.
Finally, echoing the intimidation and bully tactics Christopher has seemingly employed against anyone who he thinks is the enemy, Today in Fort Smith received a series of erratic, profane and often illiterate text messages from an individual purporting to be Christopher on Monday.
You can see that bizarre exchange by clicking HERE.
Among those texts were promises of a "cock slapping" to the owner of TIFS if we ever printed another story about Christopher.
This is the second story we have printed following that threat--which we really consider a misdemeanor harassment concerning the weapon involved--and there are links in this story pointing to ten other stories about Ms. Anthony.
So we are due a dozen "slappings" by our accounting.