Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens issued the following statement.
(Jackson, MS) Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II, announced that Hinds County Election Commissioner Toni Johnson pled guilty today to two counts of Embezzlement by a Public Official in violation of Mississippi Code Annotated § 97-11-25 and one count of making False Representations to Defraud the Government in violation of Mississippi Code Annotated § 97-7- 10.
Johnson, who represented District 2, served as Chairperson of the Hinds County Election Commission in 2020 and again in 2021, until her resignation as Chairperson following the investigation into suspected fraud. Johnson was indicted on multiple felony charges involving the embezzlement of Hinds County property and the submission of false claims to defraud the Hinds County. The funds and property Johnson misused were intended to keep voters safe during the 2020 election which took place at the height of the pandemic.
Johnson was sentenced to 20 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) with 15 years suspended and 5 years to be served in MDOC’s Intensive Supervised Probation followed by 5 years of post-release supervision. Johnson was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount $24,216.00 to be paid over the course of her probationary period.
“Today’s plea brings to a conclusion another example of blatant public corruption uncovered by the Office of the State Auditor and successfully prosecuted by our office,” DA Owens said following the plea hearing. “It is sad and disappointing that the funds that Johnson misappropriated were intended to protect Hinds County citizens exercising their rights during the 2020 election.”
Two other individual entered guilty pleas in this scheme late last year and are expected to be sentenced in the coming months. Johnson’s conviction in this matter renders her ineligible to hold elected office or other position of public trust in the State of Mississippi.
27 comments:
Doesn't KWJ owe more than $24k to the State while serving as Hinds County Administrator? Not sure the plea is much to crow about. Kind of a let down. Tip of the cap to Lisa Ross; scorched earth worked.
Means nothing more than peeing in a cup every six months.
The same gal who said, "I look forward to complete exoneration".
But she screamed that this was a racist prosecution and that she was innocent. Why does the local media show airbrushed photos of her that don't even resemble her?
So this means no time in custody. What a joke.
No mention of the judge who crafted this ridiculous sentence, but I guess that's irrelevant.
You know damned well the two whose sentences were delayed following their guilty pleas were going to send her up the river. This chicken-shit plea-bargain allowed by the prosecutor is a miscarriage of justice.
Maybe now she can relax and watch the stolen wide-screen.
The fix was in.
It's Dickinson the Dummy.
Screwed up the garbage contract and created the so called veto of no votes.
Threw out all the charges against Beth Ann White so she could go kill a woman and baby.
There are others but you get the idea of Dickinson the dumbass.
And Jody Owens wants to be re-elected?
Who's worse: Dickenson or the grifter who writes poetry and gives out blessings?
10:10 - It's Hinds County. You know the voters wanted her sent home or found not guilty if trial had proceeded...and yes, they will re-elect him.
We wonder why people keep doing things like this. With little to no consequences, why wouldn’t you?
Catch and release?
WOW! What a blessing!! I wonder if the other 2 will be blessed as well?
We'll be watching....
Good question 10;10. These results of this case probably just got him re-elected.
The pro-crime residents in Hinds county simply outnumber those that are fans of the civilization and order.
The judges reflect the ideals of that majority.
I moved to an area with leaders that at least somewhat share my values and life goals.
Highly recommend it.
How much was stolen or grifted? Looks like the juice was worth the squeeze.
This is just crazy.
Give the ex Governor the same deal
Give the ex Governor the same deal
That won't satisfy the bloodthirsty partisans at MT.
5 years is pretty harsh considering the amount involved. Hopefully Phil and friends are on deck next. They should expect a few life sentences each if they get similar treatment as Toni.
"Your honor, motion to fix."
*Now paging Phil Bryant and Brett Fraud*…..
9:19 The amount involved? It was several hundred thousand dollars! And she pays back $20 something thousand & 5 years at-home or where ever the judge or da allows her to go? Hinds Co justice is deplorable.
It appears Ms Johnson got a great deal! The steal was profitable for her. Justice, accountability, given the seriousness and extent of the crimes? NOT!!!
If she gets the probation officer this will be a cake walk.
Hinds County District Attorney Office needs to be taken over by the State. Jody Ownes has not put 1 single high profile criminal in jail.
Greta Bully = free
Toni Johnson = free
Brett Favre = free
Another Mess by Jess
At least she gets to keep the wide-screen and the remaining 180K. Cool Beans!
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