Here are some key figures believed to be connected to a federal corruption investigation centered on Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price. The bios below contain information from an FBI affidavit filed in a civil forfeiture case brought by the U.S. Attorney's office in an attempt to keep money seized from Price in 2011 and 2012.
John Wiley Price Price, 64, is one of the most powerful and influential politicians in North Texas. Since being elected as Dallas County's first black commissioner in 1984, Price has earned the nickname 'Our Man Downtown' among his District 3 constituents. Price is known for advocating for minority and women-owned businesses and clashing with non-minority local officials. He founded the annual black cultural festival known as KwanzaaFest.
Dapheny Fain Fain, 52, has been a loyal assistant to Price since 1995 when she became his county secretary. She's vice president of the commissioner's KwanzaaFest festival, and owns a promotional items business called Male Man Sales, or MMS. In documents filed in a civil forfeiture case in 2012, the FBI says she used both KwanzaaFest and her business to launder money for Price. Authorities also say she helped Price hide assets during his bankruptcy. In 2003, Price made a $35,000 down payment on Fain's house in DeSoto, according to the government. FBI agents found Price's $130,000 Bentley in Fain's garage during a 2011 search. Fain has also worked at Schlumberger oilfield company, Texas Power & Light, EDS Technical Products and the county's election department.
Kathy Nealy Nealy, 61, was once one of the most powerful Democratic political consultants in Texas. She has been a longtime supporter of Price and received more than $250,000 from Mike Rawlings' mayoral campaign. Nationally, she worked on President Bill Clinton's re-election efforts. She's close to the descendants of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Nealy has been a paid consultant for several high profile business clients, including Schlumberger and others with business before Commissioner Price and the county. According to the FBI, Nealy and Price have shared money and assets. Testifying about developers paying for influence with the city, Nealy was a witness for the government in the corruption case against former Dallas City Councilman Don Hill. She's currently a senior vice president with 5Linx, a multi-level marketing company, and travels the country giving speeches on wealth-building.
