State Auditor Stacey Pickering issued the following statement:
State Auditor and DA Announces MultiplePlea Agreements in Public Corruption Investigation
Corinth, Miss –Former Alcorn County Supervisor, Jimmy
Dallan Nelms pled guilty to false representation to defraud government,
fraudulently obtaining public funds, and embezzlement. Nelms, already
in custody after his bond was revoked in an unrelated arrest, pled
guilty before Circuit Judge Paul Funderburk. Nelms received 30 years in
the custody of the MS Department of Corrections (MDOC) with 18 of those
years suspended and 12 years to serve followed by 5 years of
post-release supervision, and restitution in the amount of $308, 244.71,
$5,000 in fines, and court costs in the amount of $3,157.50.
Alcorn
County vendor, Jimmy Ray Mitchell pled guilty to fraudulently obtaining
public funds and false representation to defraud government. Mitchell
received 5 years in the custody of MDOC, ordered to pay restitution in
the amount of $95,382.35, placement in the MDOC intensive supervision
program, followed by 5 years of post-release supervision, $5,000 in
fines which are suspended, and court costs in the amount of $1,263.00.
“Uncovering
deep rooted public corruption like this is why I wanted to be your
State Auditor,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “The people of
Mississippi deserve to feel confident in their government. There are
individuals in this state who have no problem taking hard-earned,
tax-payer dollars and spending them for their own pleasure. I hope the
sentencing of these individuals serves as a wake-up call for those who
are betraying their public oaths: We will uncover the truth, and
violators will be held accountable.”
"The
pleas of guilty today reveal the dedication by our office to prosecute
public officials in our district who steal taxpayer dollars," said
District Attorney John Weddle. Weddle stated, "For months I've been
speaking with people in Alcorn County who are deeply concerned about
long-standing corruption. I am proud of the cooperation between our
office and the State Auditor, and I am happy for law-abiding Alcorn
County citizens who had the courage to stand with us to indict these
corrupt officials."
Two additional defendants are scheduled to appear before Judge Funderburk at 2:30pm this afternoon, and one additional defendant is scheduled to plea tomorrow.
8 comments:
What is it about Alcorn County that seems to attract greed and corruption? Public Service Commissioners, local politicians, the 'Little Empire'. What's in the water up there, anyway?
Now maybe the auditor can come to Ridgeland for some easy pickings
He doesn't have to leave Hinds County
The AG needs to turn the MDA upside down. The little puppet B/A in Ridgeland with their deceitful mayor have caused a serious problem for the governor & some of his big contributors. As more& more sunlight is shinning on all this scandalous activity the more stinch is coming from RCH, MDA, & developers. The governor thought he could elect his man since he has no serious opposition. Well, AG Moore has been given a huge political sword! Can't wait to see the heads starting to roll!!!
Ridgeland developers and elected officials (and their children) must be drinking Alcorn County water or using it to water their recently sodded yards.
Question for the Auditor's office: Is it legal for an Elected Official's family member to recieve gifts, services or financial favors from entities/parties that have contracts with the State of Mississippi or Local Government?
If it is legal, then the Auditor will have trouble making a case in Madison County or the City of Ridgeland. If not, it won't take long to find out who got their Kirkland bread buttered.
Please put up or shut up, 6:35 and 6:47.
What did the mayor or MDA get? Some body got something - a boat? a truck? a yeti? a trip?
Costco deal done. I'm going to Disney! See you there Stacey.
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