Update: Here are the Form 990's that are posted on Guidestar.com:
2007, 2006, 2005
A hearing previously scheduled for December by the Mississippi Gaming Commissions on Boxcar Bingo's license is now postponed until January. Boxcar Bingo's license was suspended several weeks ago, but it is allowed to keep operating pending appeal. Boxcar Bingo is the fundraising arm of the Fine Arts Institute of Mississippi, a Ridgeland-based charity. FAIM Website. The charity is the subject of much controversy, as the Mississippi Secretary of State's office issued a Cease and Desist Order against it recently and it is also linked to Tim Johnson. Copy of Order.
The investigation reportedly began when then-employee Silbrina Wright notified the State about alleged financial mismanagement at FAIM. Ms. Wright was then fired by FAIM and prosecuted for embezzlement. She filed a wrongful termination suit (Copy of lawsuit) against FAIM and claimed she:
1. began working at FAIM in July of 2007 and her title was Director of Operations.
2. oversaw the bingo operation and the payroll for both FAIM and Boxcar.
3. notified the Mississippi Secretary of State's office and Bill Murphy of illegal activity at the Charity and that "only $7,500 of the charity's revenue was being spent on scholarships and programs when regulations required that a greater percentage of the non-profit's income be spent on such programs."
4. "reported that the Charity was bouncing numerous checks"
5. "made a formal complaint with the SOS on November 3, 2008".
6. Murphy terminated her soon after she filed a complaint with the state.
Ms. Wright seeks damages as well as punitive damages. FAIM filed an answer to her lawsuit. A Case Management Order issued by the Court decreed all discovery should be completed by February 13, 2010 and the case is set for trial on June 14, 2010.
A Madison County Grand Jury indicted Ms. Wright for embezzling from FAIM on May 13, 2009. The indictment states Rebecca Mansell is prosecuting the case. Ms. Wright pleaded not guilty. Ms. Wright is represented by a public defender. The trial was continued on November 30 to May 3, 2010 by Judge Richardson. Copy of file.
It should also be noted the Madison County Journal recently stated Mr. Murphy's executive assistant, Teresa Wilson, has been engaging in a little sideline business of selling pesticide to Madison County. Keep in mind Mr. Murphy used to be a road manager for the county until a few years ago and Murphy also pays Supervisor Tim Johnson as a lobbyist for the charity. Ms. Wilson's little lemonade stand business sold more than $120,000 in pesticide and equipment over the last three years. Earlier post and link to MCJ story.
JJ also learned Marc Wilson, the husband of Teresa Wilson, worked for the Gaming Commission from December 1, 1994 to July 31, 1996 as a DP-Systems Analyst Manager. No accusations are made against either Wilson by this blog, however, it is worth pointing out given all the relationships in this case between FAIM employees and government officials, that the husband of the "executive assistant" also worked for the Gaming Commission, although it was nearly fifteen years ago and sources have told JJ there has almost been a complete turnover in personnel since Mr. Wilson was employed at the agency.
The scrum continues. Stay tuned.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Update on FAIM case, assistant's husband used to work at Gaming Commission
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5 comments:
It seems very interesting to me that Murphy surrounds himself with influential people...Next you will report that his wife brother or long lost son is Delbert Hosemann or Governor Haley Barbour for what it's worth his stepfather could be Jim Hood. Who knows this guy is a joke.
Hosemann's office is after him and merely enforcing the law.
What has happened is thanks to Eric Clark's do-nothing attitude, charities weren't really regulated for years and many of them are not in compliance.
Some so-called charities were fronts for bingo/gambling operations and got away with murder for years, now they are suddenly having to follow the law and surprise, they don't like it. I predict you will see more and more orders like you have been seeing on the SOS website.
I don't read too much into someone who worked for the MGC 15 years ago. If what is printed in the papers is true, there's enough other mess to close the charity. Mr. Murphy keeps denying his salary, but it is on the actual tax return on guidestar.com. Does he have a yearly CPA audit? That should have picked up any wrongdoings a long time ago.
Ms. Wilson only sold $120.00 in pesticides and equiment over a 3 year period? Typo?
Thanks. funny.
I don't read too much into it either, just worth noting is all.
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