State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement.
Today
State Auditor Shad White announced Henry Gruno has been convicted of
embezzlement in Newton County Circuit Court. The case was prosecuted by
District Attorney Steven Kilgore’s office in Judge Caleb
May’s courtroom. The guilty plea and sentencing were recorded last
month.
Gruno worked as the director of the Mississippi Veterans Affairs (MSVA) cemetery in Newton County prior to his arrest in March 2021. He used MSVA funds to make over $14,000 in personal purchases of fuel and other items like barbecue supplies, toys, and luggage. A $29,818.76 demand letter was issued to him upon his arrest last year.
Judge
May sentenced Gruno to serve two years in prison and five years on
probation for this crime. The judge also ordered him to repay over
$30,000 in restitution and fees.
“This
crime is especially disheartening because the money this person stole
was meant to maintain the final resting place for many of our Veterans,”
said Auditor White. “As the grandson of two Veterans,
I’m proud my office was able to be a part of holding this person
accountable.”
Suspected fraud can be reported to the Auditor’s office online any time by clicking the red button at www.osa.ms.gov or via telephone during normal business hours at 1-(800)-321-1275.
22 comments:
Hopefully this low-life POS will become his cell block's new bitch for the duration.
Ok Shad , now do Pheel Good Bryant, or that to big for you? He helped steal millions, how much will that demand letter be for?
Can you imagine the millions that have been stolen over the decades by middle/low-level management employees. It seems every municipal clerk in the state has been pinching funds and now this. It ain't ya'll's money people! I do wonder why people aren't allowed to just pay back and get a black mark on their records without doing actual jail time. Don't jump on me, I'm just wondering if it wouldn't be better to take people who have otherwise been useful and productive and give them a small break.
What about Phil’s 77,000,000?
Does this press release spark joy with Deppity Pheel? He's probably caught more than his fair share of government crooks over the years.
Shad is hard after that low hanging fruit. The higher hanging fruit is not so appealing to him, though
I agree with 9:58. Don't believe jail does anything to deter these crimes. Restitution, supervised parole, house arrest.
Fraud is no more likely in the public sector than the private sector. The difference is that when a public employee steals $14,000 the politician trumpets his "diligence" and when a private sector employee steals $14,000 they are fired and the public never knows.
I had high hopes for Shad when he was appointed. Those hopes were misplaced.
First off why does a singular cemetery need a person with such a lofty title ? How much was this jerk getting paid ?
MS ought adopt 'best practices' continuous self auditing techniques, like multi signers of checks, statewide, to prevent cost of investigation, prosecution, court and incarceration.
In life all are tempted, some need fear to buttress their restraint.
11:30 $45,154.91, https://www.openthebooks.com/members/employer-detail/?Id=86636&tab=1&F_Name_S=Gruno&Year_S=0
Gruno is also a registered sex offender. Makes you wonder about the standards at some of these agencies.
https://state.sor.dps.ms.gov/OffenderDetails.aspx?Display=Main&Id=378694
He “stole” $25.00 from each American hero buried there. Keep his a** in jail.
11:57 : Wow. I guess the POS had to much time on his hands. I can't even imagine his job description. Surely never touched a weedeater .....or dug a hole......
Here's something I noticed lately. While 'law and order' Republican politicians talk a lot about "theft" and "embezzlement" in their campaigns and press releases, they never seem to mention wage theft,pension fund looting, state tax evasion, federal tax evasion.
Almost never mentioned are the "white collar" crimes, comitted by other than certain people. Instead some republicans relentlessly talk about 'some' crimes committed by 'some' people.
Mr Henry Gruno looting an apparently poorly supervised veterans cemetary and being prosecuted for it seems to fit right in with the trend.
Surprised young Shadwalker was not wearing his service uniform when he announced this one.
This is about as bad as stolen valor. I doubt that he would risk going to trial. A local jury will not feel sorry for him.
9:58 and 11:00 We have criminal laws to protect society from bad people who steal public money. To enforce the laws, to punish the criminals for stealing, and to deter (i.e. get the attention of would-be criminals), society imposes punishment which typically involves jail time for those who commit felonies. Most people, particularly those who as you say would otherwise be "useful and productive", really do fear jail time (see Exhibit A, Mr. Gruno, and other "public servants" like him don't really look like the kind of people who're going to thrive in prison). Jail time is indeed a deterrent, particularly when embezzlers of public funds are prosecuted as our State is now doing such that every other would-be village idiot embezzler sees others being imprisoned for stealing public money. It is important to note that many criminals do not get caught when they embezzle. If we only imposed financial fines and a slap on the wrist ("black mark" as you say) to those who get caught, then many more village idiots would take the risk of stealing knowing that if they get caught the consequences are relatively minor. Most of them can't and won't make full restitution payments anyway since they blew the money and have no means to earn/pay it back. Finally, people who steal are not otherwise "useful and productive" -- they are liars and thieves, period! Two years of time behind bars is a "small break" -- particularly since the restitution will be slow in coming and short upon arrival.
Shad, you forgot about phill, didn’t you
Obviously, more money is being allocated than is needed. If this thief stole that much money with no apparent lack of services, we might need to relook at the allocation.
Big Ol gubment grants going to local head starts and one of them is a private church. Go get em SHAD. You know that preacher gonna take the scratch from them chillren.
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