Registration open at Cleveland State

CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Registration for the fall semester continues until Aug. 22 at Cleveland State Community College, according to a news release.

The last day to submit applications for degree-seeking students is Aug. 16, and classes will begin Aug. 24.

Cleveland State has a variety of programs leading to associate degrees in arts or sciences. There are scheduling options for working adults, as well as the ADVANCE program, the Regent’s Online Degree Program and programs for veterans, the release stated.

For more information about registration or class schedules, visit mycs.cc/registration or contact the Enrollment Services Center at 423-472-7141, ext. 310.

Analyst charged in scheme

MEMPHIS - An Internal Revenue Service tax analyst has been charged with laundering money obtained from marijuana sales.

The U.S. attorney’s office in Memphis says Maggie Cooper, 62 was indicted Thursday on charges of money laundering and conspiracy.

Prosecutors say Cooper would buy items for other people, using money that came from their marijuana trafficking activities.

The indictment alleges that Cooper allowed bank accounts to be opened in her name for another person to use to buy and sell marijuana.

If convicted, Cooper faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

Atlanata's advise sees no conflict

ATLANTA - The financial adviser managing Atlanta’s three pension systems says the city investing in a fund that was created by his own firm isn’t a conflict of interest.

Atlanta’s firefighter, police and general employee pension boards approved a plan to invest $64 million in a fund created by Gray & Co., owned by the city’s financial adviser Larry Gray, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Sunday.

Gray’s firm is also making about $400,000 annually to pick the best investments for the city’s pension funds, the newspaper reported.

Atlanta Chief Financial Officer Jim Beard sits on all three pension boards and says Gray’s ownership of the fund doesn’t impact his ability to be impartial in advising those overseeing the city’s $2.5 billion pension system.

The city’s law department and other officials also stand by the arrangement.

“Our objective is to grow our assets,” said Yvonne Yancy, the city’s human resources commissioner who sits on all three boards. “If our financial adviser or any other entity offers a vehicle that does that for us, I think we should consider it.”

Ronald Hagan, chief executive of Texas-based Roland/Criss, has expertise in pension trustees’ legal and financial duties and said Atlanta’s arrangement is questionable.

“The economic interest the adviser has compromises pretty severely its ability to provide uncompromising investment advice,” Hagan said.

— Staff and Wire Reports