Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Representative Evans holding up embezzlement bill while representing clients indicted for embezzlement.

Looks like State Representative Bob Evans (D-who cares) is trying to protect some embezzling clients of his. Oops, I meant clients of his accused of embezzlement. SB #2625 passed the Senate only to be held up in the House. A big deal since today is deadline day and Mr. Evans began his hold this morning. The bill keeps embezzlers from holding public office again. The bill states:

"From and after July 1, 2013, the state and any county, municipality or any other political subdivision may not employ a person who has been convicted or pled guilty in any court of this state, another state, or in federal court of any felony in which public funds were unlawfully taken, obtained or misappropriated in the abuse or misuse of the person's office or employment or money coming into the person's hands by virtue of the person's office or employment.

Seems pretty simple, doesn't it? Just one problem. A Rankin County grand jury indicted Bassfield employees Brenda Saulters and Billy Matthews last fall. Supertalk Mississippi reported:

"Boats, trailers, heavy equipment-over $300,000 worth of king-sized surplus property bought by Brenda Saulters and Billy Matthews (below), who were Bassfield city employees. The problem, a property probe by State Auditor Stacey Pickering and crew uncovered that the two had bought the goods under the Surplus Property Program. That allows governments to buy things at a low cost.

The problem-it was a setup, says Pickering. His crew believes Saulters and Matthews never meant to purchase the boats, the trailers or the heavy equipment for the city. He says they converted it to their own use. They were able to get the $300,000 worth of equipment for only about $52,000.

Charges against the two include false pretense, embezzelment and conspiracy. They turned themselves in Tuesday to Rankin County deputies after being indicted. Their court appearance is expected Friday morning.

"Following our investigation, our office turned over our case to the Rankin County District Attorney for prosecution, and I appreciate DA Michael Guest's efforts in returning these multiple count indictments" said Pickering. "Our agents, along with the staff of Surplus Property and the City of Bassfield, were able to recover 22 items from the individuals who were using them for personal use and return to the State of Mississippi
."

The pair are represented by Representative Evans. Mr. Evans stalled the bill by raising a point of order this morning. A point of order is a procedural objection. It may be used if someone thinks the rules have not been followed and is a commonly-used stalling tactic. The website for the legislature states "Set Aside-Pend Ruling of Chair". The problem is since it is deadline day, there are quite a few issues for the leadership to handle.

Thus is appears embezzlers and thieves might be able to hold public office again thanks to Mr. Bob Evans.  Of course there is that little section of law that says something about legislators using their positions to enrich or help themselves. But this is Mississippi. 

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Every day when I read your site, you've uncovered some tidbit of something that will never make it to the "mainstream" media...(whatever the definition of that is in Jackson, MS). Great reporting, KF. Keep up the great work.

Anonymous said...

House leadership to take care of this. Thank you for your crack reporting on this KF.

bill said...

Yet another reason to get rid of the arcane rules that allow legislators and members of Congress to hold bills up when they should be allowed to proceed to a final vote. The only point of order I see is the one that allowed a double dealing attorney like Mr. Evans into the legislature in the first place. If Kevin McGee gets forced out for being part of a family business that did government printing then this joker needs to be on his way back to Monticello this afternoon. Bill Billingsley

Anonymous said...

THIS IS AN OUTRAGE. WHY IS REP. EVANS EVEN ALLOWED TO COMMENT OR VOTE ON THIS BILL?

Anonymous said...

NEWS FLASH - Embezzlers snd thieves already hold most public offices in Mississippi!

Anonymous said...

Doesn't he need to recuse himself from voting on this? Same with Joey Hood on SB2571. He clearly is trying to pave a way for a loan shark market in Mississippi to take advantage of Mississippi already poor. The working class.

Anonymous said...

Couldn't have this speaker who some of you claim as strong just rule on the point of order and allow the bill to be brought up or was he too scared of the dems. I vote the latter.

Anonymous said...

Criminal defense is a respectable and profitable business here. White collar criminal defense in Mississippi employs a number of former U.S. Attorneys, Governors, former & active representatives, etc. Is it any wonder our state is the poorer when God's talents are utilized for the wicked. From Solomon "He that oppress the poor to increase his riches, and he that give to the rich, shall surely come to want" Prov 22:16

Anonymous said...

11:16 PM proved to be wrong but was satiated with their moment of Gunn hate.

Kingfish said...

Pender had a story about it in today's paper but left out the conflict of interest part.

Kingfish said...

Its in the Sunday paper.


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