Thursday, October 14, 2021

AG Goes after Kenny Wayne & Former CMU Cronies

The Attorney General sued several former CMU officials and commissioners as well as the surety bond company  for repayment of misspent funds yesterday and Hinds County Chancery Court. The complaint was filed more than three years after State Auditor Shad White issued the demands for the funds. JJ uncovered, investigated, and reported the illegal spending.

The defendants are Cleotha Williams, Charles Morgan, Lannie Slaughter, Kelvish Nason, Isiac Jackson, Cleveland Anderson, Robert Chinn, Jewel Williams, Stacey Spencer, Silbrina Wright, Kenny Wayne Jones, and Western Surety Company.

Illegal Payments of Attorneys'  Fees

Cleotha Williams, Slaughter, Cheeks, and Shoney Harris were CMU commissioners in 2013. The Canton Board of Alderman voted to remove them from the board of commissioners in July 2013. A court fight ensued as the now ex – commissioners tried to regain their seats. The former commissioners fought all the way to the Mississippi Supreme Court but their efforts were all for naught. However, such court fights are not cheap in this case was no exception as they were left with some sizable legal bills.

Gone but not forgotten the CMU board of commissioners approved paying their legal fees in 2017.

JJ broke the story on January 30, 2018:

Time stands still at Canton Municipal Utilities as the company paid old legal fees for CMU Commissioners even though the statute of limitations for paying invoices had expired….

Attorneys Ellis Turnage and Adrienne Wooten represented the deposed Commissioners in the first lawsuit.   Ed Blackmon and Ellis Turnage represented the plaintiffs in the petition for the injunction.  Adrienne Wooten represented Landres Cheeks as well.   They lost every round in court.

 However, the CMU board approved paying the legal fees of these commissioners even though CMU was not a party to the lawsuits and the commissioners were private citizens when the lawsuits were filed.  The judge did not award attorney's fees to the plaintiffs since they lost.  However, the CMU Board of Commissioners voted to pay the claims docket at the March 7, 2017 and March 21 meetings that included payments of  $85,662 to attorneys Ellis Turnage, Adrienne Wooten, and Tamekia Goliday.*  CMU issued the checks on the same day as the approval of the claims docket.   Ms. Wooten and Ms. Goliday submitted invoices for work performed in 2013.  Mr. Turnage billed for work from 2013 to 2015.  It should be noted that Commissioners Slaughter and Williams voted on paying the claims docket even though it included payments to their personal attorneys who represented them in the Canton lawsuits.  However, this is Canton where laws and ethics are suspended.

The invoices state that most of the billed work was performed in 2013.  Ms. Wooten's invoice that her work was last performed on July 31, 2013 while Ms. Goliday's invoice states was last performed on July 12, 2013.  Mr. Turnage billed for 231 hours but 97 hours were billed after March 7, 2014 so the payment for those hours fell within the three-year statute of limitations although 134 hours were billed after the statute of limitations expired. rest of article

The invoiced amounts are:

Wooten: $11,550

Goliday: $4,120

Turnage: $69,992

The complaint asked the Chancellor to order repayment of these legal fees.

Illegal Severance Payment to Former CMU CEO Kenny Wayne Jones

Next up is our old friend Kenny Wayne Jones, the former CEO of CMU. He is the current County Administrator of Hinds County.

The complaint charges Mr. Jones made” substantial payments to entities” that did not have a contract CMU or for unauthorized work.  Mr. Jones included the invoices on the claims docket that was approved by the board. The CEO admitted to these acts at a December 28, 2017 hearing for the CMU board of commissioners.

Kenny Wayne even had the brass to blame the commissioners for his improper acts. He said they should have performed due diligence before approving the invoices he submitted to the board. (#48)

The board terminated Mr. Jones at the hearing. The commissioners voted unanimously on January 16, 2018 to pay $75,000 to the former CEO in exchange for a confidential settlement agreement. Kenny Wayne took the money and ran. 

The confidential settlement agreement was against the law so Yours truly sued in court to obtain a copy of it. CMU provided the agreement which showed the $75,000 payment.

The Atty. Gen. said the payment and settlement was an “illegal severance agreement with a discharge public employee “that violated article 4, section 96 of the Mississippi Constitution. earlier post

CMU tried to keep the payment secret and denied a JJ public records request for the settlement agreement. Yours truly sued CMU in Madison County Chancery Court. CMU relented and provided the records. 


Illegal Credit Card Payments

Nothing attracts sticky fingers like government credit cards and the senior credit card was no exception.

The complaint claims Anderson, Morgan, Williams, slaughter, jewel Williams, chinn, Spencer, and right had access to CMU credit cards. They allegedly made more than a few purchases of jewelry, gifts, booze, and food on the CMU done. Nevertheless, CMU paid the bill. The AG  said the defendants are liable for equal amounts of each unauthorized purchase they made and/or voted to approve for payment.

JJ reported on Halloween  Day in 2017:

Purchases at jewelry stores, trips to swanky beach resorts, $1,000 bbq meals, clothes, and steak dinners populate the credit card bills of Canton Municipal Utilities employees.  Cleaning bills, coffee, quick trips to fast food joints - no purchase was too small or too trivial for the favored few to pay with a CMU credit card. 

JJ obtained a copy of credit card bills that were paid by CMU from December 2016 to July 2017. No fewer than eighteen CMU employees* submitted credit card bills in 2017 that were paid by CMU.   However, none of the CMU Board members had credit cards....

Executive Director Kenny Wayne Jones loves him some steak and bbq.  He used his credit card to purchase steak dinners, photography, bbq at Marlo's, items at Heart of the South Apparel & Gifts in Brandon, Casual Male in Jackson, and of course the usual trips to Sam's Club, Walmart, and of course, Penn's Fish House.  An Executive Director has to have furniture so nearly three thousand dollars was spent at Overstock.com and National Biz Furniture.... Earlier post, receipts, and invoices

The complaint has the following counts:

I: Breach of duties by commissioners on March 7, 2017 when they voted to pay personal legal fees for the former commissioners

II: Breach of duties by commissioners on January 16, 2018 when they voted to pay an illegal severance payment the former CEO Kenny Wayne Jones.

III: Breach of duties for improper use in improper payments of CMU credit cards.

The Attorney General seeks the following damages from the defendants:

 Cleotha Williams and Lannie Slaughter: judgment of $164,384, interest, and fines of at least $150,000 for violations in counts I,II, and III against each individual.

 Cleveland Anderson:  judgment of $89,333 and interest for violations and counts I and III.

Charles Morgan: judgment of $85,663, interest of  $8,394 for violations in counts I and III

Isaic Jackson and Kelvish Nason: judgment of $75,000, interests of $4875, and fines of at least $150,000 from violations and count 2 against each individual

Robert Chinn: judgment of $75,000, interest of $4,875and a fine of at least $150,000 for violations of counts II and III.

Kenny Wayne Jones: judgment of $75,000, interest of $4,875and a fine of at least $150,000 for violations of counts II and III.

Jewel Williams: judgment of $1,133,interest of $627 for violation of count III

Stacey Spencer: judgment of $341 and interest of one $40 for violation of Count III

Silbrina Wright: Judgment of $865 and interest of $514 per violation of Count III

Don't forget the insurance company.

 Western Surety issued a blanket bond to the CMU Board of Commissioners during the time when these alleged acts occurred. The complaint seeks $225,000 for the shenanigans of Kenny Wayne Jones an additional interest of nearly $30,000. The insurance company also those $128,515 for the improper payments of legal fees. The State Auditor made the same demands upon Western Surety but they were rejected.

The Attorney General asked the court to find Western Surety at least $150,000 and penalties that are 12% of the bonds.

Special Assistant Attorney General Stephen Schelver represents the state. The case is assigned to Chancellor Denise Owens.


29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good deal now can we talk about that sawmill raising wages in Louisville ?

Anonymous said...

Most of those dirtbags are probably judgment-proof.

Lotta bankruptcies about to be filed.

Anonymous said...

Oh snap

Some puckered butts now

Pay Up You Thieves said...

Where are all of the AG haters now? Crickets...

KF, great job!

Anonymous said...

Why was this filed in Hinds County and not Madison County ?

Anonymous said...

Lord this dead horse has been resurrected and beaten back to death again….

Anonymous said...

Between Canton and Pelahatchie, CNA isn't going to write a surety bond for a municipality in Mississippi before much longer. They are getting hammered.

Anonymous said...

For these opportunists and their attorneys, Canton is a virtually unattended cash cow too inviting to be left unmolested. It only stops because some outside party, the feds or the state, blows the whistle. The poor residents will continue to get fleeced until they wake up. Fat chance.

Anonymous said...

@12:44pm - Hater here. One case out of how many hundreds that are still sitting unprosecuted while suing a sovereign nation who couldn't give a f*** less about the lawsuit.

But hey, throw her a bone I suppose.

Anonymous said...

One wonders whether the retailers whereat illegal purchases were made could be required to refund or reimburse the utility (through the AG collection process) the amounts that were misspent at those retailers? Would also like to know what Kenny Wayne bought at Heart of the South in Brandon that could possibly relate to CMU activities? And how much did he spend there?

Anonymous said...

Mr. Morgan is a white man.

cleanin house means hauling out all the trash said...

Was Deppity Feel the whistleblower again?

Anonymous said...

Whatever happened to her trooper bodyguards? They get into any trouble?

Anonymous said...

These CMU folks are deserving of their troubles. But let's not act like it started with Kenny Wayne Jones.

Under the leadership of John Wallace, CMU illegally spent over $22 million since 2000. And gave in excess of $1.2 million in debt forgiveness to the City of Canton. This info was in the documents and depositions and testimony from the Gluckstadt Incorporation and Canton Annexation trial. CMU testified and admitted the fraudulent expenditures.

And under John Wallace, it was discovered that CMU illegaly raised rates on those folks in Lake Caroline. And I could go on and on and on and on ........

Anonymous said...

Attn 2:06 please go on and on and on……….

Anonymous said...

Anyone that sues to maintain their appointed board position should be investigated for something that may be illegal.

Anonymous said...

Why not arrested?

Anonymous said...

This sounds like the exact same playbook going around Hinds County. Kenny Wayne Jones is the only employee getting COVID premium pay. Since he was appointed. He also wants the Board to approve credit cards for county use.. Same playbook- different year!

April 19, 2021 meeting
APPOINTMENT
Approve Appointing Kenneth Wayne Jones as County Administrator, effective May 1 UPON A motion of Credell Calhoun and a second by David Archie, Vern Gavin voting aye, Robert Graham voting aye, Bobby McGowan voting aye, it was
RESOLVED to approve Appointing Kenneth Wayne Jones as County Administrator, at an annual salary of $120,000.00, plus an additional salary of $5,000.00 per year during the Pandemic event, effective May 1, 2021.

Approved credit cards use at July 19, 2021 meeting
Approve Credit Card Authorization for Travel Reservations and Rentals up to $25,000 UPON A motion of Bobby McGowan and a second by Vern Gavin, David Archie.

Anonymous said...

Interesting all this came out about John Wallace for 22 years during the Canton Annexation. What else came up during that annexation?

Anonymous said...

Ellis Turnage bills at $300 an hour?

Anonymous said...

Let me know when either: (a) Somebody goes to jail, or (b) somebody repays what they stole.

Anonymous said...

I sure hope it doesn’t take this long to get them folks who don’t want to answer subpoenas from Congress to justice.

Anonymous said...

Before they filed, did anybody in her office ask Lynn Fitch if she has a problem with someone spending public monies on furniture??

Anonymous said...

Folks y’all are smart people so tell me why “some people’s” get a civil demand for BIGG MONEY like this case. And “OTHER” people who take say $2k to $5k illegally are arrested, booked and charged with criminal charges? Please help me understand. Also, WHY would the AG file demands in Hinds County when the acts were committed in Madison County? I’m betting she knew in Madison County she would WIN the case but in HINDS county she might lose. This has ALL been orchestrated from the beginning.

Anonymous said...

She filed it in Hinds simply because she has no desire to win it. When you run for statewide office, you don't mess with the Blackmon and Blackmon Tribe. The woman is stupid, but she ain't THAT stupid.

Anonymous said...

@5:41. I don’t know but I will guess. My assumption is that there is a difference between misspending money and stealing money. For instance, while the CMU board members illegally spent funds when they paid legal fees for non board members, the board members didn’t actually get/keep/steal the money. But I ain’t no lawyer.

Anonymous said...

@8:09 Understood! But what about the Kickbacks. This sounds like kickbacks all around.

Anonymous said...

Wait!!!!
Is the Lanny Slaughter the same person currently on the MCEDA board and appointed by Supervisor Karl Banks in Madison County?
Reckon someone will suggest he come off that board?
nawwwwww
Why would we want someone to do that?
What an embarrassment.

Conveniently the Board of Directors photo is removed from the MCEDA site.

Anonymous said...

"Before they filed, did anybody in her office ask Lynn Fitch if she has a problem with someone spending public monies on furniture??

Fitch has busied herself with refurbishing offices for at least 40 years. That's pumpkin-shit and totally outside the radar. The first thing you do when given a new public job (hello Haley), is buy a chair, a lamp and a three way extension cord.


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
.