State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement.
Today State Auditor Shad White announced former Director of the Tunica County Airport Eric Konupka has been arrested after being investigated by Special Agents from the Auditor’s office. Konupka was indicted for embezzlement by a local grand jury. He was also issued a demand letter showing he owes over $9,000 to Tunica County taxpayers.
Konupka is accused of using the Tunica County Airport’s debit card for his own personal expenses. He allegedly used the airport’s card to withdraw cash from ATMs and purchase food, automotive supplies, energy drinks, and cigarettes. Konupka also purportedly used the card at casinos and restaurants near Tunica.
“Whether it’s the largest public fraud in the state or an employee using a government purchasing card to buy a few thousand dollars’ worth of items for themselves, we will hold the line on any misuse of taxpayer money,” said State Auditor Shad White. “We must rely on prosecutors to make the decision about when to charge someone with a crime, so I’m grateful for the cooperation between investigators and prosecutors in this case.”
Konupka was arrested by law enforcement officials in south Florida. He has been issued a $9,259.55 demand letter. The demand amount includes interest and investigative expenses. The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office will prosecute him.
If convicted, Konupka faces up to 20 years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. All persons arrested by the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Konupka’s previous employment at the Tunica County Airport is covered by an insurance policy. This insurance policy is designed to protect taxpayers from corruption.
Suspected fraud can be reported to the Auditor’s office online at any time by clicking the red button at www.osa.ms.gov or via telephone during normal business hours at 1-(800)-321-1275.
17 comments:
Another small catch. Yet somehow Phil and Tate remain un-indicted?
Shad, you really need to get to Canton City Hall. Things aren't going well for the city employees due to neglect on the Mayor and Alderman's lack of knowing their jobs and blowing up the budget.
This poor man ,in reality, would easily qualify as one of Shad's " whistleblowers. "
It never stops
If only he had begged for and received $5 million in welfare funds, he would still be free.
I don't get people who seem to think Shad should arrest no other thieves until he locks up Pheel.
And I hope all the TANF players rot in prison.
I just don't understand why these (also valid) arrests make people think the TANF case is closed?
Shad loves catching the small fry. But he's fine if the thieves are stealing millions from the poor. He must be scared of Cowboy boots Phil and Farve might throw a football at him.
If he would have only built his pilot friends a large executive hangar at his airport using TANF funds along with a wink-wink from Depty Pheel, he would be home free.
Another hick in the sticks catch, but looked the other way for Phil. Won’t forget you looked the other way Shad
"Shad" is the only fish the auditor can catch.
Shad can’t prosecute criminals. It’s up to the AG to prosecute Feel. Perhaps the Hinds County DA could, I don’t know. I guess Shad could ask for reimbursement from Feel.
Criticizing Shad White for this arrest is misplaced at best.
By the way, is not the investigation of Bryant and others in the feds hands?
RMQ
Why do you bottom-feeding nincompoops complain every time his agents arrest somebody?
It's sheer ignorance for you to not know Phil is in the cross-hairs of the Federal Government. The State Auditor has done his job in that regard. If you didn't hear me, I said SHEER IGNORANCE.
Shad got his "stay in the Sip and make below southeast average wages in government" interns defending him on JJ.
And 7:35 boldly defending thieves that are not related to TANF fraud.
Weird flex.
I guess that makes you a Chokwe intern?
Someone needs to be taking a serious Look at the City of Jackson.. I'll never believe a Mayor can Veto a vote of the City Council, how in hell does the City Council now pay Richard's for their Services?
This feckless shrimp will never be governor
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