Failed Saline County JP candidate and city of Little Rock Finance Department Employee admits to illegal activity
In 2024, Leila Chism, a city of Little Rock employee (Department of Finance - Assistant Payroll Manager) ran as a Democratic candidate for a Saline County Justice of the Peace position.
Her running as a Democrat was highly suspicious as she did not hide the fact on social media that she was a Trump supporter (like birds of a feather, criminal flock together). She received less than 2,000 votes and was soundly defeated.
Her campaign finance report filings showed that she raised a whopping $4,003.26 with most of the funds coming from political action committees and individuals living outside Saline County.
Chism only filed one Campaign Contribution and Expense report (a preelection one) but failed to file a final one and an annual report that showed disposition of remaining campaign funds. That is violation of Arkansas Code Annotated §7-6-203(g); §7-6-209(d) and the Arkansas Ethics Rules on Campaign Finance & Disclosure §226, §228 and §242.
Accordingly, our Russ Racop filed a complaint with the Arkansas Ethics Commission regarding Chism's violations of Arkansas laws.
The Arkansas Ethics Commission ("AEC") accepted the complaint and began an investigation.
In their July 2025 meeting, the AEC found probable cause exisited for a finding of a violation.
Their standard procedure is to make a settlement offer to the individual under investigation once they determine that laws have been violated.
They did that, and instead of fighting the complaint, Chism admitted that she had violated Arkansas laws and signed a document that admitted those violations.
Racop told us he was looking forward to getting photos of Chism doing a perp walk and was a little disapointed that she fessed up and didn't contest the allegations and have a hearing before the AEC.
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A Perp Walk photo of LR Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. taken by Racop |
Racop recieved a letter from the AEC on August 30th, apprising him of the outcome of his complaint.
It's no suprise that the corrupt Scott Administration has no problems with an admitted criminal working in it's Finance Department with unfettered access to public funds.
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During the pandemic, Chism worked from her home and submitted this photo to the city to document her home work station.