Friday, August 27, 2010

MDOT suspended payments to Jackson in July

MDOT suspended payments to the City of Jackson in July after the City failed to submit a required audit. JJ learned about this after obtaining correspondence between Jackson and MDOT through a public records request.

MDOT sent a letter to Mayor Harvey Johnson on July 9, 2010 informing him the agency was suspending payments to Jackson on July 12. Jackson received over $500,000 federal funds through MDOT in 2009. Jackson is required by the federal government and MDOT to submit an audit for said funds. MDOT warned Jackson on December 4, 2009 that if Jackson did not submit the audit by June 30, 2010, payments would be suspended and there would be no extensions of the deadline.

The suspension was lifted on August 3 after Jackson submitted the required audit to MDOT. What is interesting is separate letter sent on the same day to Jackson states there were "material weaknesses and significant deficiencies in the internal control over the City's major federal programs". The audit included a corrective action plan. Such "deficiencies" are not a surprise to anyone who observed how sloppily the Melton administration conducted its affairs. However, the Johnson administration was still responsible for completing the audit and was given over six months to do so. Efforts to obtain the information from MDOT and the City of Jackson have been unsuccessful at this time.




Posted by Kingfish at 10:07 AM

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

However, the Johnson administration was still responsible for completing the audit and was given over six months to do so.

Maybe 6 months from December but Johnson has had a year to fix that which was broken by Melton. Missing this deadline was inexcusable.

August 27, 2010 at 10:36 AM
Kingfish said...

Odds Fox40 and Jessica Larshe rip off this story? Even.

August 27, 2010 at 11:14 AM
Anonymous said...

Maybe they need to clean house and get rid of Johnson and Stokes and get some competent people in there.
Both of them are a real joke.

August 27, 2010 at 2:07 PM
Anonymous said...

Jackson is slowly becoming a big joke. Material weaknesses in internal control? That is a huge red flag that they are funneling money somewhere else and covering it up. Had 6 months to comply and have an audit? I mean let's get real, what is Harvey Johnson doing? Crime in Jackson is out of control, UMC's trauma beds stay full with fresh gunshot victims from Jackson. Glad I left that hole when I did, I don't think I'll ever be back.

August 27, 2010 at 6:11 PM
Anonymous said...

6:11 slowly becoming a big joke? Jackson has been a joke ever since Harvey's first stint in office. The joke is no longer funny.

August 28, 2010 at 9:17 AM
Anonymous said...

If you are interested in seeing the full audit report, it is available on the State Auditor's website.

http://www.osa.state.ms.us/documents/municipalities/2009/jackson09.pdf

Warning, it's a 100MB download. Dial-up doesn't even need to bother.

The findings start on page 198 of the .pdf file.

I don't see anything earth shattering. The material weaknesses involve not depreciating completed construction in progress (CIP) projects correctly and not properly estimating uncollectable water accounts.

I am very surprised there were no findings related to purchasing, payroll, or cash management. Those are the big three that have the potential for abuse or embezzlement.

Of course the CPA's covered themselves by finding the report wasn't completed on time because the City did't properly plan for a timely audit.

August 28, 2010 at 9:57 AM
Kingfish said...

I called both MDOT and Jackson and had to go with what information I was given. Was not aware this audit was avaiable on Auditor's website. Thanks.

August 28, 2010 at 11:26 AM

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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).

Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.

In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS.