Monday, December 21, 2020

Alcorn County Tax Collector Arrested

 State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

Today State Auditor Shad White announced Special Agents from his office have arrested Larry Ross, Tax Collector of Alcorn County, after he was indicted for two counts of embezzlement and one count of making a fraudulent statement by a local grand jury. Upon his arrest, Ross was issued a demand letter showing he owes $69,155.23 to taxpayers in Alcorn County. This amount includes interest and investigative expenses.

In addition to ensuring property taxes are collected appropriately, the Alcorn County Tax Collector’s office under Ross is responsible for the sale of vehicle license tags. Ross allegedly embezzled from the county by taking cash he obtained from recycling unused vehicle license tags. He also allegedly took cash from fees collected by the office. Investigators also found evidence Ross created and signed fraudulent bills of sale as Tax Collector. From March 2012 through March 2020, Ross purportedly embezzled $2,689.58 from Alcorn County.

In addition to the criminal findings, Ross is allegedly responsible for losses to the county in the amounts of $43,746.48 and $5,478.81 through waiving late penalties associated with the licensing and registration of motor vehicles.  

Ross surrendered to Special Agents at the Alcorn County Jail today. His bond was set at $10,000 by the court. 


If convicted, Ross faces up to 45 years in prison and $20,000 in fines. A conviction would also prevent him from serving as an elected official in the future. All persons arrested by the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The case will be prosecuted by the office of District John Weddell.

“We are committed to stopping theft of public dollars in Mississippi, no matter when or where we find it,” said Auditor White.

A $10,000.00 surety bond covers Ross’ time as Tax Collector of Alcorn County. A surety bond is similar to insurance designed to protect taxpayers from corruption. Ross will remain personally liable for the full amount of the demand in addition to criminal proceedings.

Suspected fraud can be reported to the Auditor’s office online any time by clicking the red button at www.osa.ms.gov or via telephone during normal business hours at 1-(800)-321-1275.

 

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

it never stops-

Anonymous said...

Since when do you get to take your own mug shot?

Anonymous said...

Shad found all kind of crap with former DOC executive director.
( New furniture, meditation rooms with Himalayan mountain music, and such)

Gawd. . . I hope Chad found some Himalayan mountain music in this dude's office as well.
After all, this guy has the "look" of a Alcorn County Yoga Master.

Or are they called a Aw-kawn Yogi ?

Anonymous said...

I'm not saying the guy should get a pass. But, the majority of the "fraud", $50k, is for waiving late penalties. Seems like a horrible guy to want to help out his fellow Alcorn citizens by giving them a break.

Anonymous said...

Appears that his embezzling was only $2,600 and the rest was waiving late fees, interest and investigative costs. If I understand this correctly, the theft was pretty small time compared to even personal use of county vehicles by county officials.

Anonymous said...

When are the outlaws, present and former, in Canton Municipal Utilities going to be indicted? Seems like low hanging fruit.

Anonymous said...

I hope Shad White doesn't run for governor. Three more years as auditor and eight as governor is too little time to have a guy that does a really good job serving Mississippi.

Hey Shad, serve another five terms as auditor then spend eight years as the governor. Thirty one more years of Type A competence could really help this state.

Anonymous said...

Peanuts

Anonymous said...

Waiving late fees may generate kickbacks of the percentage waived.

"Mr. Jackson, I will waive your late fees...wink, wink, nudge, nudge."

Anonymous said...

If i was on the jury, I see more Robin Hood than i do a bandit.

Ruby Ridge said...

Canton, like Sullivan's Hollow down in Simpson County (was), is off limits to investigators, revenoors, bloodhounds and nosey outsiders. Just ask the last two State Auditors. Or three. Or four.

Anonymous said...

"From March 2012 through March 2020, Ross purportedly embezzled $2,689.58 from Alcorn County." So the guy supposedly stole less than $3,000 over three years? Either he was a terrible thief or this is much ado about nothing. My vote is for the latter. Seems like Auditor White looking for another headline.

Anonymous said...

Sorry Shad. This one looks excessive to me.

Is Hugh Freeze beyond the statute of limitations?

Anonymous said...

A guy tries to better himself and everyone wants to jump on him. Shame on the PoPo folks. Jealousy I bet.

Anonymous said...

Waiving fees is embezzlement under the Shad regime? Good gravy--this is small ball. Go for this big stuff, son.

Anonymous said...

GOOD LORD! $2700 over 8 years...they done caught TATERTOT SALAD! This guy must be the Al Capone of Alcorn County!

In related news, Shad White personally kicked in the door of a nursery school whose owner, he alleged, had swiped a box of pencils when she retired from 30 years of teaching elementary school. Actually, it turns out that "swiped" may be too strong a word. It seems out one of the TAs helping her pack last year only had a vague idea of what they were and figured something so ancient must belong to the old gal, so she put them in one of her boxes. It's a real shame Shad Tased her. Actually, "shame" may be too strong a word since she settled with the State for a substantial amount.

Seriously, while theft is theft, I suspect he might find some bigger fish if he'll look just a little bit harder.

Anonymous said...

8:45 - Need help with Math?

Anonymous said...

More is coming. Look for another indictment or criminal information from DOR over 6 figures.

Anonymous said...

I keep seeing canton municipal utilities pop up. I seem to remember mention of a “non existent” tornado insurance plan. That appears to be low hanging fruit. Let’s go get it, and the jail is currently populated well blow capacity. The jail can be a financial success when properly filled.

Anonymous said...

11:19pm I wish this site had GIFs. I would add the one with Michael Jackson munching down popcorn to this comment. This is the kind of bust that should get our attention. Oh, and following through on the TANF fraud which is the biggest plum of all.

Anonymous said...

The investigative costs and interest expense by my calculation appears to be over $17,000. Thank goodness for a $100,000 surety bond (not $10,000 - typo). Keep the amount under the surety - easy collection, easy headline.

Like finding a wallet on the ground.

Anonymous said...

more low hanging fruit. Representatives don't go to Jackson for the $22,000 a year salary. Still waiting on him, or any State Auditor, to take a look at where the real corruption is, in Mississippi. Problem is, it's tough to bite off the hand that feeds you.

Anonymous said...

11:19
Need more specifics

Anonymous said...

Waiving late fees may generate kickbacks of the percentage waived.

Or may be a very convenient way to buy votes with taxpayers' money, perhaps without them even knowing that waiving the fees was allegedly illegal.

Anonymous said...

They should audit CMU. When John Wallace was at CMU, over $20 million was illegally transferred out to the city of Canton. I read that little bit of information when reading the details of the Gluckstadt incorporation and Canton annexation case. And CMU has admitted it was illegal and has now ceased doing it.

Anonymous said...

7:56 They may, but did they? Nothing in the press release to indicate he got anything back for waiving the penalties. He failed at the duties of his job, but that is not embezzlement. What's next? Every chief of police or public official that gets a ticket dismissed is suddenly guilty of embezzlement too?

Now taking the cash from recycling old license plates is just stupid, but small potatoes in the grand scheme of things. This guy actually seems like he tries to do things right so it wouldn't surprise me if it turns out he used the cash for county expenditures.

Shad is just looking to make a name for himself and ride the State Auditor position to bigger and brighter political positions. He's following the Mabus and Bryant path. Wonder if he'll challenge Tater next time around.

Anonymous said...

How dare, Shad White, do his job. This simply will not be tolerated.

Anonymous said...

"After all, this guy has the "look" of a Alcorn County Yoga Master." Sorry, I though you said Yoda Master. My mistake.

Anonymous said...

Agree with the CMU commentators, but I'd add City Hall as well. Packed to the gills up there. But, we all know he will never grow a set that big.

Anonymous said...

Canton, at both the municipal and county government levels has been rife with corruption, graft and theft for decades. Everybody knows it and the only ones who deny it either ARE or HAVE BEEN personally involved it it.

Anonymous said...

Saw where Shad indicted the Macon Court Clerk. Wonder if he is competent to take on the County there. Over 20 years ago, an article appeared about an audit of the Justice Court. They found over $8k in CASH, over 11k in uncashed checks & 1000s of $ of unprocessed tickets. The records were so bad, the article said an audit couldn't be performed. They began looking at the other County Offices & found so many records missing, the Auditors gave up, Don't remember any article about it since.

Anonymous said...

Where (Sen) Tommy Robertson these days?....?

Anonymous said...

If you can point to where, in the law, a clerk is prohibited from waiving a fee, I'll believe this shit-show by the auditor. Otherwise, he broke no law.

Anonymous said...

Are you really that ignorant or simply blinded by your bias against the auditor? If you don't know how an audit works ask someone.


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

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
.