Jackson Jambalaya

Why a case this big is not being handle by FBI or AG office. Owens is able, but I don't trust this at all!!!! Slap on Wrist, I'm sure that will happen!!

Owens' gaggle in the background was completely superfluous.

Am I the only one who loved the “hit me” comment to the reporter? Lol!

I also saw a slight twinkle in his eye when he was asked about politicians being arrested. I’m anxious to see the final outcome. I don’t believe this little fellow is scared of anyone. He’s got all the political butts’ puckered! Good for him!!

Owens has every reason to run hard at this one.

Rich white people stealing from poor blacks? The script writes itself.

Fat cat, sleepy, and one-eye. Match the nicknames to the defendant.

Well you folks seem to always vote for sheer unadulterated Political Criminality then act surprised or bury your heads in the sand from elephant to ostrich.

Hmmm, don’t include the Feds or then AG Hood. Reeves shoots election ad at new summit school, passes that 11th hour voucher legislation in last years budget. Indictments come down after the inauguration. Not hard to see why this was kept in house....

Did someone sit on this so as not to tarnish Phil's final days in office? If they did, I guess they forgot to tell the prisoners to hold it down too.

Ahhhh, the irony that is Mississippi. All of these state agency associated conspiracy and embezzlement cases must be brought in Hinds County, which used to be white. Now a mostly black grand jury gets to indict all these state agency heads (republican appointed white folk). All circuit judges in Hinds are now black since the last election. You’re going to get a mostly/all black jury in Hinds county.

Reparations cometh.

Y’all better think twice now before taking those sweet high 4 PERS retirement appointments from now on if you’re going to misbehave.

i thought Republicans never did any
of this?

Don't know what the problem is between Shad and the US Attorney's office, but its obviously there. Seemed like they were two peas in a pod, prior to Shad's appointment as Auditor.

This is not the first time that he has failed to even discuss with Hurst an action like this, much less work with his office.

Competition, maybe?

Ego? Not appreciating the fact that there are two crime fighters on the scene that are willing to take on corruption whenever and wherever it is found?

No other good explanation fits. Shad's doing a great job. Hurst is also doing a great job. First time in ages that we have had folks willing to take on some of these issues, and now we have two!

Come on, Shad. Start playing nice in the sandbox. Your love affair with Jody probably won't last long - just look at the difference at the presser. He (just like Baby Chock, can't go anywhere without a posse; you are there standing up by yourself) and you are doing fine. Owen will certainly take on a case like this much better than RSS ever did, but that's no great shakes - anybody could do more than Shuler-Smith ever did.

Lots still to be uncovered in this mess - and we don't need a turf war developing here among the crime fighters.

Y'all bitch that the feds are always having to clean up our messes, y'all bitch when the state actually tries to clean up this mess. Which is it?

If the Feds want to prosecute as well they can. There is no double jeopardy when the state tries a criminal case, and then when the Feds do. Lets see what happens in the state and then we get a second bite if not satisfied...

For a lawyer who has yet to prosecute a criminal case, y'all sure giving this DA Owens a lot of credit- I would bet that he has not tried 5 cases before a jury in his whole lawyer life- And when the defendants spend some of their ill gotten gain on defense lawyers with experience, I wouldn't count this case as won by any means-

I'll answer the 'which is it' question. If we want this whole thing to either go away or result in a giant fuck-up-dismissal, just let Shadrack get the Hinds D.A. to investigate and prosecute it.

Keep going Shad, we had MDOC with Epps, now MDHS, how about Health and Medicaid next.

How much money did Families First spend on ad buys at Super Talk back when this scheme was in full flight? TANF money being donated to the state Rep party’s media arm. Remember Gallo interviewing John Davis every other day and fawning over his revolutionary new approach to human services?

@4:32pm - Owens ain’t prosecuting shit. The tenured ADAs will be doing all the work. He was at least smart enough to keep them so he could focus on the pressers and buying suits.

So Shad is going after the big fish, and Hurst went after a bunch of illegal immigrants while completely ignoring the employers and you people wonder why they were left out of the loop? Seems pretty self-evident to me.

KF what law firm handled the legal work for Nancy New while she built her little empire?

Gallo is on the cusp of retirement. Don't get his britches in a snit over this crap. He's been guilty for two decades but deserves a break, you know, cause he's a chort chit and vocally impaired.

Stop the train!!! You mean to tell me a Democrat and a Republican are actually working together to fight crime. The liberal snowflakes and the wide eyed ( think crazy horse) republicans are going to have a melt down.Please stop the hate and take care of business.Clowns and Jokers And I’m stuck in the middle with you!

KF , its obvious that you are a Shad White fan and i am glad he is going after the corruption BUT he does need to play nice in the sandbox and notify all parties. It is a courtesy.

Shad contradicted himself... he states there’s a whistleblower but later says this was found on the last routine audit of federal funds at DHS... so which one is it?

Shad and Owens = Einstein and Gomer Pyle

Sources say Ann McGrew is only guilty of turning a blind eye to embezzlement.

You guys are some cynical assholes! Potentially the largest fraud in state history and you’re focused on the investigators and prosecutors motives and qualifications.

@7:02- I’m pretty sure he said the whistleblower alerted to issues (red flags) and they gathered the evidence through the audit.

The real question is how the theft wasn’t discovered during last year’s audit (that he mentions.) How was the theft disguised and how did they miss it?

@7:33- Your point?? Turning a blind eye is not a (good) defense.

Most fraud caught by a "routine audit" is a found as a result of a whistle blower. Otherwise it may take 4-5 years until something weird shows up in a sample. Or the fraud grows to be so big it can't fly under the radar any more (like WCOM). I doubt it was big enough last year to pop up in a routine audit.

You think this is big news? Just wait until the DPS bomb drops. There's a reason why they don't have a commissioner.

8:21: She had to turn a cheek cause she just couldn’t see it comin.

Oh Brother!

This will certainly be interesting to watch. I don't trust Owens, but he's working with Mr. White then I'd rather see him fail of his own accord which will just mean more of the same. Good luck to them both.

In that picture on the right side of the screen, Auditor White looks to be just out of high school. He looked like he was in pain at the press conference. He’s a damn good communicator. Tate tot won’t have a job is Shad decides to run against him. Hit Me!

Tate still mad about taxpayer road to his million dollar house not happening anymore

Out of courtesy I thought as required and act of good will Feds had to be notified if Federal Funds were involved. SOS office should be looked into also after Ponzi Scheme as in Lamar Adams case. Families are too close to State officials too many times! Taxpayers footing the bills for lavish life styles just ain’t right!

Speaking for myself and probably 99.5% of Mississippian's, I'm glad to see this young man at the helm. The other.5% are scared sh_tless!

With all of the plots, sub plots, etc. that go on here for money, how does one NOT become “paranoid?”

The whole ship is based off of screwing over Uncle Sam. 4.15 million as of this posting. Have we reached some critical mass where we just assume that everyone in power is by nature corrupt as hell?

4:07 - When it comes to high-level, secretive investigations, there's no such thing as a courtesy notification. Were you serious.

But, I am not comfortable at all with the Hinds County D.A.'s office having the lead now in this situation. Hope my fear is unfounded. Maybe one day we'll know.

OOPS! This is what happens when we regime changes at the top (governor) level. Believe me, this thing is not over.

Shad White = Ray Mabus (only one target in sight - Governor's office). "It's all about me!"

@7:42
I'm cynical enough to say that's a pretty safe assumption. Also my brief experience at DOR during Ed Morgan's reign seeing a manager with only a high school education rise through the ranks by schmoozing with the Commissioner (hunting buddies) to become CIO and making his #2 the most incompetent manager in IT was what did it for me.

Rich white people stealing from the poor nothing new lol...Wait it's Mayor Lumumba's fault...

I've personally met Shad White in a a business setting, and he's an impressive guy. I wasn't sure then, and I'm still not sure if he aspires to be governor one day. Based on our last few guvs, including Tater, Shad is in a completely different league from an IQ standpoint. I'll admit that Boss Hawg was/is politically savvy and connected, but he doesn't come close to having the smarts that Shad does. If Shad will just keep doing what he's doing and not sell his sole to the 'good ole boy' clan, then we just might have a governor that we can all be proud of one day.

You guys are talking about owens. How about the people that are stealing just a thought..

There are so many layers to this onion.

First, who is not thoroughly enjoying the fact that this sh*t is getting unloaded soon as Tater Thot was elected governor?

Second, what were people expecting when Mississippians gave the MSGOP keys to the hen house and they have seriously enjoyed themselves while fattening their belly's.

No one questioned the top to bottom control, and really only a select few of us are really paying attention to this sh*t. It's above their comprehension level and that's why these people at DHS were able to pull it off.

Wash-rinse-repeat - its the Mississippi way.

10:03 managed to make this a race issue and use it give Jackson's mayor a pass, all in one line. I suspect that type of efficiency only comes with a great deal of practice.

Shad and his legal staff will spoon feed everything to Owens. Don’t think for one second that Shad isn’t contemplating the political jackpot of what it means to pull this off his way. Why give a bone to the state AG, or anybody else for that matter?

Perhaps Auditor White thought Mike Hurst was too busy with all his media appearances and investigating the chicken processing plant big wigs that his plate was too full.

In many cases revealing your investigation to the Feds = sending your case to the grave.

Jeezus, Is there not one state agency that performs well and doesn't steal taxpayer money in the state of MS?

Keep up the good work Shad. Send these people to jail and send a strong message. Restitution alone is not enough.

Shad White will be governor of this state one day. Clean up the cesspool

Tater has now revealed that he received campaign contributions from these (alleged) crooks.

To be a fly on the wall at Tico's.

11:06 Shad certainly also enjoys a frequent opportunity to hold court with the news media about how he is standing up for all of us little people.

10:06 You have proven your own lack of political IQ by not recognizing Shad's aspirations for higher political office. But, then again, you are probably one of his equally ambitious staffers.

@1:37
Is ambition a bad thing now? Explains the sorry state of not being able to attract young talent.

If Shad White aspires to higher office by performing his job well, that's just fine with me.

What would John Davis benefit from by sending an ex wrestler to rehab on TANF’s some? Doesn’t add up.

Don't recall saying ambition is a bad thing. Just pushing back on your assertion that Shad is not ambitious (but merely a citizen serving his state honorably). He is a politician, which by default in this day and age, reflects ambition for higher office regardless of sex, race, or political affiliation.

@1:37 - 10:06 here. I'm the farthest thing from a government staffer. Maybe Shad does aspire for higher political office, and if he does, then good for him and all of us (I hope). My point was that after sitting across a table from him just having a casual conversation, I just was not sold on the idea of him wanting to be governor. Perhaps I has dead wrong, and if so, I hope that you can find it in your asshole heart to forgive me. Lord knows that we could all benefit from someone like Shad leading this state.

I don't comment much and am happiest staying out of all the quasi-political prognosticating, but....Mr. White held a really impressive press conference and, as said above, is a really strong communicator. Not one stumble or misstatement, which is probably due to not only his intelligence, but also to the validity of the findings/case. No need to "er, um" when you're telling the truth and answering hard questions honestly. The fact that White chose Mr. Owens may just be a smart person choosing to utilize another smart person (despite all of the grumbling here about Owens' lack of qualification.) Also, if I had to guess, I'd bet that White was all for including all those folks behind them, i.e., the folks who would be doing lots of the work to see this through. (But I know it's easier for some here to just call that a Owen's entourage.)

Like a few (including Kingfish) have said, lots of commenters here only want to complain, denigrate, especially when it comes to race, or anything positive. What a shame.

I hope Shad does aspire to be governor in 8 years. If he doesn’t we may end up with that goofy red neck wannabe cowboy Andy Gibson for governor. Just like Feel peter principled up the ladder in the Republican Party because no one was there to run —not to mention Mr. Magoo Sen. Wicker (I’m still pissed at Chip for bailing and letting the party down). Please quit saying Shad will run against Tate in 4 years cause we know what Tate can do to any rival. Hoping for 8 years of Delbert and Shad.

To be fair, Davis and the News had needs (vacations in the Caymans, home remodels, private school tuition, etc). They were temporary in nature because once they were satisfied they wouldn’t be needs anymore. And aren’t they also families? Aren’t. They. Also? Let he who has never stolen millions cast the first stone.

As long as Shad keeps rounding up the thieves in Mississippi then I say the more ambition the better. At least he has the balls to do his job. Most in this state are too lazy or too timid.

@5:59 PM - you omitted CCJ membership.

A lot of connection to Phil Bryant and the delay to start the indictments after the 2019 election. Wonder if any of the money was awarded to fund other farewell projects for Bryant and the first lady.

Nancy and Zach surely know by now that tying the big fish to this corruption will lessen their criminal exposure.

It's been decades, but, I don't recall Ray Mabus doing jack shit in the office of auditor. Please refresh my memory.

Mabus was part of Operation Pretense that got 57 county supervisors and I believe at least one highway commissioner put in jail. He also pushed through a lot of strict regulations on public purchasing.

I’m not a fan of Mabus, but he busted a bunch of corrupt county officials. Perhaps you should learn to research archives. And he was Harvard educated just like Shad.

Harvard is where the similarity ends between Shad and Ray. A quick check of 'the archives' will also remind us that Mabus conspired with the family priest to set up his wife in the ongoing divorce case. Oh, and he gave us Louisa Dixon as head of DPS.

Mabus wasn't quite the stumbler and bumbler that Patterson was - or at least as far as we know, he ran legal tags on his vehicles. But he was no Kirk Fordice and, as time will prove, was no Shad White.

I'm familiar with the term 'hit me' in the context of black-jack, but, what's it mean when said to a reporter?

Phil is starting to look like the next Bernie. How could he have not known?

I was at an Ole Miss football game a few years back and it occurred to me at the time that it is very strange that the Mississippi Dept of Human Services was running ads on the electronic signs inside Vaught Hemingway. I thought to myself, what a waste of taxpayer dollars.

Do you think a culture of waste and pilfering has been around DHS for a good long while? And what about the role that the giant ad-agencies/campaign firms play in all of this pork spending? There are more dominoes to fall.

6:17 The Shad show is in its first scene and no doubt you are on the production team. Let’s wait until the end of the show to determine his legacy. Ray looked really good early in his own show and his minions also worked very hard to make him look good (just like you are doing). But, hey, it’s your job as a minion.

somebody please explain to me what the obsession is with mississippians who graduated from harvard . if they are so smart, why did they return to this backwater?

Maybe he should take another look at CMU which is Canton Municipal Utilities. That would put an even bigger feather in his hat.

6:58, you forgot to include Supertalk. You are on the right path.

So you are saying folks like Frontier Strategies direct where state agencies spend dollars and when they call Supertalk and tell them to lob some softball questions at their candidate (like Bryant) what they are really saying is “if you want the big ad dollars from state agencies, you WILL give preference to our candidate”. There is nothing objective at all about local talk radio. Their opinion is bought and paid for by the millions in campaign coffers. I do recall the DHS love fest on the Gallo show not too long ago.

Hey 6:54....you are on the right track but ask how much he has profited instead of did he know. Of course he knew and if it is looked into they will find other agencies with the same fingerprints.

Hello 8:36...I posted at 6:17. I don't know Shad White from Adam's gargoyle, have never spoken to him, nor met him and have never seen him other than his photo on this blog page. If you wanta shill for Mabus, good for you. Some of us remember him. Mabus, as I recall, was just another up and coming youngster who crafted a big smile and a strange attraction to odd political bedfellows. I was around then, were you?

For years we've heard about the 'man behind the curtain' at Supertalk. He's referred to as 'Big Daddy' among other things. Of course he's always been free to run his station on the very edge of being a criminal enterprise as far as pocketing money from politicians, whether in office or campaigning. The station has been kept afloat for two decades by political office holders and agency heads including Bryant, Hoseman, Fitch and Reeves.

And with Gallo being the chief accomplice for twenty years - now pandering to the voters by having Hyde-Smith on most mornings. There's no such thing as ethics in media. What's legal and what's ethical don't often intersect.