Uncle Hushpuppy may have some explaining to do in the DHS scandal. WLBT reported:
A recent audit shows a company with ties to a deputy director in the state attorney general’s office received nearly $169,000 in TANF money as part of the state’s largest embezzlement scheme in history.
Findings released recently by the Mississippi Department of Human Services show that nearly $69 million in federal dollars earmarked to help needy families was misspent, including millions that was steered toward companies on behalf of the agency’s former executive director.
One company called into question is NCC Ventures LLC, which was co-founded by Nicholas Coughlin, a deputy director in Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch’s office.
Coughlin has been working in the attorney general’s office since January 2020, the same month Fitch took office...
According to audits, the company was recommended to former MDHS Executive Director John Davis by Family Resource Center of North Mississippi and that NCC “fit into the (Families First) pillars.”
FRC of North Mississippi was one of the nonprofits implicated in a $4 million embezzlement scheme by the Mississippi State Auditor.
Auditors go on to state that there is no evidence NCC did the work it was hired to do. “Based on the lack of any deliverables and the limited information included in the invoices to FRC, there is little evidence of any time and effort by NCC Ventures to complete the projects provided in the contract.”
The firm was brought on in late 2017 after auditors say Coughlin was introduced to Davis by Brett DiBiase.... Rest of article
More information can be found starting on p.28 in the audit posted below.
45 comments:
$5 will get you $10 he donated some of that money to Lynn’s campaign, securing his job
Mississippi government has displaced Louisiana as having the most corrupt government officials. Hey kids, don't worry about business careers join the government and get rich. Shad needs to make an example of some of these crooks and let them serve some hard time.
Looks like I chose the wrong career path. Should have brown nosed a government official and gotten setup with a permanent income for doing nothing…
Ol Nick couldn’t let his former business partner in Ted Dibiase Jr out do him. Do some searches under the sos website and you will find the old Llc name there.
be careful Kingish! His trooper brother will write you a ticket while his attorney momma runs to his defense. Anybody want to meet for lunch at a restaurant in Clinton??
Glad to see this corruption exposed. Shad needs to turn his attention now to Jackson and Hinds County. Citizens are literally dying every day due to the incompetent leadership we have.
How will his lawyer mommy spin this one?
Excuse me but Chad and the DHS Executive Director were part of Gov. Bryant’s administration. Someone other than Shad need to conduct the DHS investigation!
He was?
Bob Anderson worked for Hood. Tate appointed him to the DHS job. Try again.
KF, I think 2:31 was referring to the "Former" DHS director.
Read that way, his comment makes sense. Shad stopped this investigation at the top of DHS, never let it move over to the top of Sillers bldg, but the tentacles were spread there as well.
N’awlins Grill sounds pretty good right about now!
Phil’s days of being covered for are numbered.
Shocking news! There is a Deputy Director in Fitch's office that is a male.
lol@ all the unconnected nobodies who have never and will never be invited to a spot at the hog trough.
None of you could even get elected dog catcher in Pisgah, either.
If this guy didn’t work for the AG, this is a non-issue. It looks like Shad is using this “independent” report to take out a potential rival politician.
3:14 - if being invited to such a spot includes getting to participate in illegal funneling of money to me or through me, I'll be glad to stay a mere peasant in Pisgah.
Nicholas Coughlin must be a heck of a guy. Connects with Davis, they make up a contract to get him paid for no work. He connects with Lynn, and they make up a whole division (Constituent Services/Community Outreach) to get him paid. Must be a liable dude.
lol@ 3:14. Someone's not familiar with the difference and happens between pigs and hogs on the farm, so this unconnected nobody is quite happy watching from a table in the corner. Good timing too with bacon prices soaring-- time to replenish that market, Shad!
Criming - Phil style.
Lay low.
Get your friends on the federal teete.
Watch the tanf funds go.
Praise the Jesus!
Get your daughter a job….for a minute.
Get your son….outta town.
Sit back and hang out with some cat named Nigel and speak funny accents.
Wear a red hat.
Criming - Phil style
On the Forensic Audit, why didn't they include Brett Farve & Marcus Dupree and the money they stole. I've got a funny feeling this is going to get swept under the rug. Looks like Ole Phil and Lynn got their hands in the cookie jar.
@ 3:49
Constituent outreach wasn’t created just for Nick, it was created for all non attorneys Lynn needed to give do nothing jobs to.
Nick worked for Butler Snow and isn’t an attorney…
Deputy Director for Lynn and isn’t a attorney or Cop….
He must be a hell of an interview.
MAKE UP YHOUR MIND! Is it 69 or 169?
"A recent audit shows a company with ties to a deputy director in the state attorney general’s office received nearly $169,000 in TANF money as part of the state’s largest embezzlement scheme in history.
Findings released recently by the Mississippi Department of Human Services show that nearly $69 million in federal dollars earmarked to help needy families was misspent..."
General Fitch: please tell your media relations people to answer phones and emails. Media relations generally involves some sort of relationship with the media. I haven’t seen this much dodging since gym class
Is it a coincidence that Fitch’s political fundraising is now being managed by Deepity Phil’s consulting firm?
KF has pointed out in other posts that it is the Auditor’s job to investigate and identify governmental fraud, but it is the Attorney General job to prosecute the wrongdoing. The Auditor appears to be busy, with numerous reports of investigations and charges regularly in the news.
Is it a coincidence that there is:
1. No AG action on the DHS front? Deepity loves him some DHS. Deepity loves him some ButlerSnow.
2. No AG action on the Canton utility front?
3. No AG action on the corruption in Jackson and Hinds County front? I recall that Deepity cut a deal with Chokwe about jackson schools.
4. A token slap on the wrist with a $ 55 million dollar settlement from Centine - a $37,000,000,000 company - for pharmacy fraud? Deepity loves him some Medicaid care companies.
5. Reports of AG ordered MHP troopers interceding in personal, family squabbles? Deepity loves him some troopers.
6. An abundance of rumors about turmoil and disorganization in the AG office?
Possible ties with her new fundraising consultant and all of these entities raise the stench alarm.
Our intrepid, investigative capitol press corps should inquire at the next AG photo op. Maybe AG Fitch can order a BOLO for the Deepity himself. His firm, ahem, is around but he is missing in action.
Haha to the Nawlins Grill comment. I get it. Ate there Saturday. Love the place and happy to support it. Good folks.
I’ll tell you why they won’t lay a finger on CMU …..you think the AG or any of her staff would stand a chance against Blackmon in a Madison County Courtroom ? My money is on Blackmon & Blackmon. They might even win Attorney's fees.
There are crooks everywhere that deceive those above them. Chris Epps is a prime example.
That’s it for me, Lynn. My checkbook is closed until you get your house in order. Michel, Whitney, the husky Democrat running criminal. I’ll send my money to Shad or whatever real Republican runs against you. This has gotten ridiculous
Me? I never thought Deepity to be that, ah, smart. In his case, pleading 'ignorant' will certainly be his salvation.
Never forget....Gomer was a deputy.
Mississippi government has displaced Louisiana as having the most corrupt government officials. Hey kids, don't worry about business careers join the government and get rich. Shad needs to make an example of some of these crooks and let them serve some hard time.
Welp, what did you people think was going to happen when you promote a failed politician from Treasurer to Lt. Governor, on to Governor. Then hand total control to one party? They are going to take everything for themselves and say f*ck the rest.
John Dalberg-Acton said it best, Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority, still more when you superadd the tendency or the certainty of corruption by authority.
This state's Department of Human Services is a bird feather away from receivership and this is the sh*t that's going on in that agency!? This place is a complete sh*t show!
Does not shock me in the least. Nick Coughlin is the biggest con artist I have ever met in my life
At the end of the day THEY are all dirty in some fashion. You can't function in that world by being honest.
This has to be one of my favorite comment sections ever. Keep putting the dirty laundry and theories out there. Burn Mississippi Burn!
@ October 5, 2021 at 9:00 AM
Nah buddy, you can save that "they are all bad" argument.
People say that mess because they are willingly cosigning the shenanigans by voting for the very same "bad" people.
That's a lame argument
It appears the AG’s office has been plagued by this type behavior since Fitch took office. Perhaps this type thing went on in her prior role, but it simply wasn’t newsworthy. How many non attorneys are employed at such high levels in the current AG’s office? Is there really a need for a Director AND a Deputy Director of constituency services? If Coughlin is such a known con artist and overall bad person, how does he end up in the AG’s office and for what purpose? Isn’t John Coughlin Nick’s Dad? The audit mentions him doing a favor for a relative by the name of ‘John’ but doesn’t provide any additional details. Is the Dad involved as well? So many questions!
Have you seen the attorney general’s statement about this?????
Is there a bigger scheme out there than "workforce development"? There are so many agencies, organizations and companies championing and/or providing workforce development programs, but can you name one that's actually teaching job skills? One look at Coughlin's scope of work proposal is enough to see that he took a page out of everyone else's book and got paid a lot of money for nothing. Teach folks how to be a welder, electrician, plumber, heating/AC technician, etc., and forget the so called "workforce needs assessments" - there's already enough of that BS.
Other than Feel and his 'um, uhm' daughter, who makes up the consulting firm?
I wonder if anyone is going to look into this restaurant he opened in TN. (Dickies barbecue I believe) directly after receiving this money? John Davis undoubtedly hired him so he could invest in that restaurant thinking nobody would notice because it is out of state.
Correction for Kingfish. Bob Anderson was working for the Division of Medicaid, not Hood. Medicaid, as you know, is under the governor’s office. Lynn hired him as an assistant AG when she took over. He stayed two weeks and Tate appointed him to head DHS.
@8:43
Anderson worked for Hood for a long time. He was one of the prosecutors during the Robert Smith debacle
So exactly how long is Shad going to protect his mentor and partner, ex Gov Phil. His hand has been in every scandal for eight years. How many other elected state officials, past and present, are corrupt? Shad needs to also check his own cookie jar!!! Phil will bring him down…….
Just a matter of time.
**POST #1 of 2**
Regarding the Jackson Jambalaya article entitled “Audit Uncovers Sweet Deal at DHS” (10/04/21)
Just saw two comment posts referencing John Coughlin in the Jackson Jambalaya article entitled “Audit Uncovers Sweet Deal at DHS” dated 10/04/21. This is a LATE comment but may provide some information.
The posts by Anonymous on 10/05/21 at 10:47 am….
(“Isn’t John Coughlin Nick’s Dad? The audit mentions him doing a favor for a relative by the name of ‘John’ but doesn’t provide any additional details. Is the Dad involved as well? So many questions!)
.…and Anonymous on 10/06/21 at 8:13 am….
(“I wonder if anyone is going to look into this restaurant he opened in TN., Dickies barbecue I believe, directly after receiving this money?)
.…both appear to ask the questions:
To what extent was John Coughlin involved and did he let his son take full responsibility?
Note: All that follows is for informational purposes only and is from online public records that are available to anyone. It is a chronological listing of MS. and TN. Sec. of State business filings and other public records.
08/10/16 (MS.)
Marion Hospitality, LLC
Formation
Reg. Agent: Nicholas Coughlin
Member: Nicholas Coughlin
09/2016 - 10/2019
John Coughlin, per his resume, is Principal/Director of Operations with The Marion Hospitality Group, LLC.
Resume link:
https://reservations.dfa.ms.gov/Media/forms/upload/form_3530840c-c254-4627-8a0f-fa0976cf33cc/3bc45678-93f5-4a88-9f79-57039755d880/j_coughin_resume_2020_e.pdf
09/23/16 (MS.)
Dickey's Pigeon Forge, LLC
Formation
Reg. Agent: Marion Hospitality, LLC
Organizer: Marion Hospitality, LLC
08/15/17 (TN.)
Dickey's Pigeon Forge, LLC (Series LLC)
Initial Filing
Members: 2 (John Coughlin and Nicholas Coughlin per 2017 LLC Annual Report)
Reg. Agent: Dickey's Pigeon Forge, LLC 3784 Parkway, Ste. 101, Pigeon Forge, TN.
09/06/17 (MS.)
Marion Hospitality, LLC
Notice to Dissolve/Revoke
09/06/17 (MS.)
Dickey's Pigeon Forge, LLC
Notice to Dissolve/Revoke
09/06/17 (MS.)
NCC Ventures, LLC
Formation
Reg. Agent: Andrew Sorrentino, Esq.
Organizer: Andrew Sorrentino, Esq.
Manager: Nicholas Coughlin
12/06/17 (MS.)
Marion Hospitality, LLC
Administrative Dissolution
12/06/17 (MS.)
Dickey's Pigeon Forge, LLC
Administrative Dissolution
12/07/17 (TN.)
UCC Financing Statement, Document #427912498
Debtor: Smoky Mountain Barbecue 1429, LLC (FKA Dickey's Pigeon Forge, LLC)
Secured Party: Pinnacle Bank, Greenville, S.C.
12/12/17 (MS.)
Marion Hospitality, LLC
Application for Reinstatement Following an Administrative Dissolution
12/12/17 (MS.)
Dickey's Pigeon Forge, LLC
Application for Reinstatement Following an Administrative Dissolution
Reg. Agent: Marion Hospitality, LLC
Organizer: Marion Hospitality, LLC
-CONTINUED-
*See POST #2 below:
**CONTINUED from POST #1**
Regarding Jackson Jambalaya article entitled “Audit Uncovers Sweet Deal at DHS” (10/04/21)
**POST #2
02/26/18
NCC Ventures, LLC receives 1st payment from the State of MS.
03/12/18
Dickey’s Barbeque Restaurants, Inc. website announcement of Dickey’s Pigeon Forge, TN. restaurant opening
03/26/18 (MS.)
Articles/Certificate of Amendment
Name Change: Dickey's Pigeon Forge, LLC to Smoky Mountain Barbecue 1429, LLC
03/28/18 (TN.)
UCC Amendment: Change Debtor (1)
Document #428470745
Debtor: Smoky Mountain Barbecue 1429, LLC
Secured Party: Pinnacle Bank, Greenville, S.C.
04/16/18
Dickey’s Barbeque of Pigeon Forge, TN. ribbon cutting (Pigeon Forge, TN. Chamber of Commerce)
05/2018 - 08/2019
John Coughlin employed by MS. Dept. of Human Services (MDHS) as Office Director II (per his resume)
06/2018 - 09/2019
John Coughlin paid by MDHS (from payroll data provided to Clifton Larson Allen, LLP)
06/01/18 (TN.)
Dickey's Pigeon Forge, LLC
Notice of grounds for administrative dissolution by the state of TN.
08/08/18 (TN.)
Dickey's Pigeon Forge, LLC
Inactive Date
Dissolution/Revocation - Administrative
Filing status changed from “Active” to “Inactive-Revoked (Administrative)”
09/06/18 (TN.)
Dickey's Pigeon Forge, LLC
2017 LLC Annual Report
Due: 04/01/18
Filed: 09/06/18
Member Officers: John Coughlin, Nicholas Coughlin
09/06/18 (MS.)
Smoky Mountain Barbecue 1429, LLC (FKA Dickey's Pigeon Forge, LLC)
2018 LLC Annual Report
Reg. Agent: Marion Hospitality, LLC (John Coughlin Principal/Director per his resume)
Organizer: Marion Hospitality, LLC
09/07/2018 (MS.)
Marion Hospitality, LLC
Notice to Dissolve/Revoke
12/06/18
Smoky Mountain Barbecue 1429, LLC was filed as a Bankruptcy-Chapter 11 lawsuit
Case filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Tennessee (Knoxville)
Bankruptcy Petition: #3:18-bk-33705
Represented by: C. Dan Scott, Scott Law Group, Seymour, TN.
12/06/18
Bankruptcy notice of appearance and request for notice filed by Walter N. Winchester on behalf of Creditor, Pinnacle Bank
06/2019
MS. Office of State Auditor alerted to significant areas of welfare (TANF) fraud risk
09/2019
John Coughlin is no longer on MDHS payroll
10/2019
Per Resume - John Coughlin is no longer Principal/Director of Operations with The Marion Hospitality Group, LLC, Jackson, MS.
*Resume link above*
02/2020
State Auditor and Hinds Co. DA charge six people involved in alleged welfare (TANF) fraud
05/14/20
Smoky Mountain Barbecue 1429, LLC bankruptcy case closed
06/05/20 - 06/16/20
Dickey's Barbeque Pigeon Forge Liquidation Auction
SBA Liquidation Auction for Pinnacle Financial Partners in conjunction with Kennedy Real Estate & Auction Co., LLC
08/28/20 (MS.)
Marion Hospitality, LLC
Notice to Dissolve/Revoke
08/28/20 (MS.)
Smoky Mountain Barbecue 1429, LLC (FKA Dickey's Pigeon Forge, LLC)
Notice to Dissolve/Revoke
11/27/20 (MS.)
Marion Hospitality, LLC
Administrative Dissolution
11/27/20 (MS.)
Smoky Mountain Barbecue 1429, LLC (FKA Dickey's Pigeon Forge, LLC)
Administrative Dissolution
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