The Justice Department issued the following statement.
Moss
Point Mayor Mario King, 33, and his wife, Natasha R. King, 32, of Moss
Point, Mississippi, appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert
H. Walker
on fraud charges relating to the Mayor’s Gala held in 2019, announced
U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Mississippi State Auditor Shad White, and
Special Agent in Charge Michelle A. Sutphin of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation in Mississippi.
The
indictment alleges that defendants Mario King and Natasha R. King began
soliciting funds in late 2018 for a Gala to be held on March 23, 2019,
in Moss Point. The written
solicitation stated that the “gala honors and supports organizations
that are making a difference for the mental health community. Proceeds
support the efforts of mental health in the City of Moss Point with a
focus on the Moss Point School District, converting
spaces into a therapeutic and innovative learning environment.”
According
to the indictment, on March 4, 2019, defendants Mario King and Natasha
R. King appeared together on WLOX television and described the event,
stating that funds from
the Gala were to be used to create safe spaces for mental health
counselling in the Moss Point School District.
Pursuant
to allegations in the indictment, it was the understanding of those
contributing to the Gala, either in the form of tickets purchased or
contributions, that the proceeds
from the Gala would go to the Moss Point School District. Some of the
funds were used to pay for the cost of the Gala, but the remaining
proceeds did not go to the Moss Point School District. Instead, it is
alleged that defendants Mario King and Natasha R.
King used the proceeds for personal purchases, including the down
payment on the purchase of a vehicle, cash withdrawals and the payment
of credit card debts involving charges to complete the purchase of a
personal pet.
The
defendants appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Walker at 10:00 a.m.
this morning for their initial appearance and arraignment. The case has
been assigned to U.S. District
Judge Sul Ozerden. If convicted, the defendants face up to five years
on the conspiracy charge and up to twenty years on each of the thirteen
wire fraud charges. Each of the fourteen counts carries a maximum fine
of $250,000.
The
case was investigated by the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office and the
Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant
U.S. Attorney John Meynardie.
The
public is reminded that an indictment is merely a charge and should not
be considered as evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed
innocent until proven guilty in a
court of law.
22 comments:
He's one of the most WOKE Mayors in Mississippi. Countdown to the race card in 3...2...1...
It never stops-
This guy is a clown just like Lumumba. All bluster and talk. He is more concerned about graffiti in his streets than running a city.
"Before climbing into a BMW528i, the mayor added: “Litigation is a tool that I believe everybody should use the way it should be used.” Whatever that means, they look nice to me.
Another example of the white privileged power structure going after black elected folks truly trying to lead their people to the promised land.
Although in this case, they want to lead the parade in a nice new car with their special pets riding shotgun.
A guy that is in a very tight race with Antwar Lumumba to see who can be the most incompetent Mayor in the city while playing the race card at every opportunity.
He was probably buying a mental health service dog...
Guys he's a non-violent criminal. According to the libertarians at Empower, MS- GIVE THIS MAN PROBATION!
This is typical for Moss Point "leadership".
I have close relatives outside of Van Cleave that have been screaming about Moss Point officials for years.
So glad Mississippi State Auditor Shad White
went after this clown.
And his wife.
He's a clone of ludumba... this guy is truly a moron.
So the mayor who’s actually suing a firm for fraud, conspiracy and negligence in botching the city’s water meter project, is the one being charged with a crime?...and they get away scot-free? Hmmm, follow the money as something smells from the R side.
The comment at 3:49 is a shining example of what is known as a "red herring."
The mayor should have called it a fake news witch hunt - that’s how you convince the right you are perfectly innocent despite overwhelming evidence.
@5:28
Trolling is an art and that you have mastered. I commend you.
But you will he trolled after his landslide reelection.
They are in serious trouble. In state court he may have been able to plea bargain down to a parking ticket but in the Federal court system they are in deep shit.
No blessings in federal court. Besides, they look guilty as hell.
Proud of the Ag Fitch’s participation. Way to go!
This is only the tip of the iceberg. City resources were used to pull off the event. He used his official mayoral status to solicit contributions from city contractors, vendors, citizens and local businesses. City employees set up the event and took it down. And the fact that she is a licensed health care worker using the health care system and school system to create this scam is disgusting. At minimum, he should resign and she should lose her licensing. But with the evidence it appears the courts have, they will get a much stiffer sentence.
Feds have around a 92-93% conviction rate. He can plead or go to trial, but the charges will stick. You have Mike Hurst and Shad White on your ass, your goose is cooked.
Surely this isn't the last of his indictments.....what about the program income from the DMR grants???
2 CFR § 200.80 - Program income. § 200.80 Program income. Program income means gross income earned by the non-Federal entity that is directly generated by a supported activity or earned as a result of the Federal award during the period of performance except as provided in § 200.307 paragraph (f).
It is my dream to have universal, single payer, healthcare run by guys like this.
Go figure
Moss Point Police Chief > Dept of Marine Rousources> MHP
Just wait
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