Jackson Jambalaya

Consider this spreadsheet to be the public record of the day.  The Mississippi Department of Public Safety issued a $1,000 per year clothing allowance to 106 employees in 2016.  The allowance was not renewed at the end of 2016 for 17 additional employees.  It is rather interesting to see who took advantage of the allowance. Clue: Some of those receiving the allowance were not the ones who need it the most.   The records were obtained through a public records request. 

- MBN Director John Dowdy not a certified law enforcement officer. 
- Director spent thousands on clothes. 
- Director used MBN vehicles for commuting. 
- Director lied about MBN personnel buying back comp time. 

State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement and report on the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.

Quite a few employees at the Mississippi Department of Public Safety are taking advantage of a $1,000 annual clothing allowance even though they command rather nice salaries.

It appears little has changed at the Mississippi Department of Public Safety under the new Commissioner. JJ submitted its usual request for a roster of all DPS employees who receive a $1,000 per year clothing allowance. Take a look at the records provided and see if anything is missing.

Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Marshall Fisher whined to the legislature Thursday about alleged unfair treatment from the State Personnel Board.  The Commish thinks he has the right to be a dictator and fire anyone who catches his ire, the truth be damned.  Unfortunately, a Clarion-Ledger reporter,  Giacomo Bologna, fell for his act hook, line, and sinker.  Mr. Bologna reported:

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety complained that this website was "targeting" the agency with it's coverage.  DPS made the accusation in a response to a public records complaint this correspondent submitted to the Ethics Commission last year.  JJ attempted to obtain copies of correspondence and payment demands from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from DPS.  DPS said the records were part of an "investigation" and exempted from the Public Records Act.  The Ethics Commission ruled against the agency in December.  DPS provided the records.  Earlier post about Ethics Commission opinion.