State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement yesterday.
Today State Auditor Shad White announced that Special Agents from his office have arrested Charles Roberts, former city of Horn Lake Alderman, on one count of Fraudulent Statements and Representations.Roberts is accused of receiving unemployment benefits while still employed by the city of Horn Lake as an Alderman and failing to disclose that income. The Auditor’s office has turned over the case to the DeSoto County District Attorney’s Office.
“The dedicated team at the Office of the State Auditor will continue to work hand in hand with prosecutors so we can continue delivering record results for taxpayers,” said State Auditor Shad White.
“This indictment and arrest highlight the commitment of the State Auditor and his office to holding public officials accountable,” said District Attorney Matthew Barton. “Stealing from the taxpayers is a serious crime, and we are dedicated to carrying this case across the finish line for the taxpayers of Mississippi.” Roberts faces up to $10,000 in fines and 5 years in prison if convicted. All persons arrested by the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.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 calling 1-(800)-321-1275 during normal business hours.
30 comments:
This investigation and arrest should convince the critics that Shad does indeed go after the big fish.
1:02. So what! There are a lot more people that steal thousands than there are that steal millions.
This fruit is so low hanging it’s fallen to the ground and rotted. How much unemployment did he steal? $500? State needs better regulation of these benefits if this is able to happen.
From an article about this situation, this was apparently the only bust of a public official in Shad's efforts to recover $500,000,000 in COVID employment fraud. The amount this guy is accused of fraudulently receiving? $10-25,000. I'm not sure this will quiet the "low-hanging fruit" crowd.
The rest of the article has some rather interesting quotes as well. Here's a link: https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2024/09/11/horn-lake-alderman-charles-roberts-fraud/
So Shad’s office does have the ability to arrest people?
I don’t care if they caught him stealing $100.00, I am just glad they got him. I don’t know if they do or not, but there should be rewards for the “conviction” of thieves stealing the peoples’ money.
If he is like most small town Alderman I sure he didn’t consider that as being employed!
This story was updated a few hours ago..
Seems Shad may have dropped the ball on this "bust".
No one denies the guy committed fraud ... but he repaid everything he owed prior to this arrest. He claims to have cancelled checks as proof.
After the guy's attorney made this public, Shad's office was initially "unavaiable for comment". The Horn Lake powers were also caught off guard about this as well, and referred all questions to the Dept. of Employment Security.
MDES was apparently not in the loop ... and were "blindsided" by these questions.
The above entities may have issued statements by now, but I think this may turn into a larger issue for the Auditor before it's over.
Ooops!
Hope things aren't falling thorough the crack due to the distractions of being a best selling author and thinking about his next step up!
So the grand jury testimony that led to an indictment left out the part about the money previously being paid back in full, which makes it a civil issue, not criminal? Woops.
Of course it does, Goober. That's never been contested. His staff investigates and his agents arrest but his office does not prosecute. How difficult is that to understand?
Paying money back does not erase the crime. If a bank robber returns what he stole, is he still guilty of the federal crime of bank robbery? Of course he is. I'm amazed at the mentality of some of you people.
Hope the DA doesn't feel like he was misled in any way by Mr Big Time Bookwriter and his crack team of investigators!
Well 7:17, it's actually quite simple.
I would suggest you start by studying Mississippi Employment law, along with State & Federal Unemployment Insurance fraud regulations.
This man's actions ... (while bad) ... do not come close to a bank heist. If this fellow had not been a former Alderman, I doubt he would have appeared on Shadrack's radar.
@7:17 PM - Well bright spark, the difference is that in this case criminal intent can not be proven, unlike a bank robber.
This story isn't over.
Too bad for all the Shad haters. This report doesn't mention anything about something being wrong with the DA's case.
https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2024/09/11/horn-lake-alderman-charles-roberts-fraud/75175897007/
Actually, there is no such thing as 'Mississippi Employment Law'. Mississippi may be the only state without a Department of Labor. As such, federal employment and labor laws take effect in this state.
You might be referring to Mississippi Unemployment Insurance regulations. The Unemployment Insurance division of the Department of Employment Security does investigate suspected fraud regarding the receipt of UI claims funds; however, that agency does not prosecute. The might or might not REFER for possible prosecution.
If the Department does determine or suspect fraud following an investigation, the party who has committed the suspected violation is engaged and repayment is demanded.
The literal details of this situation are unclear.
Sure it can, dim spark. If, while receiving unemployment insurance payments, the claimant lies to the agency in order to continue receiving benefits or lied during the application process or admits having lied or knowingly deceived in order to receive benefits, intent is proved.
We don't know the particular details of this case, but one doesn't continue to lie, week after week and during follow-up interviews and/or paperwork falsifies his situation, he is guilty of fraud. Not saying this person is or is not since the details (especially of any investigation) are not known to this audience.
@9:32 PM is 100% correct.
@7:52 AM - Yes, he is 100% correct.
He's retained Tony Farese and put on evidence that he's paid the money back. There is no indication of any criminal intent. If the evidence shows that this guy was notified of a mistake and went bankrupt paying it back, will Shad issue an apology?
Tantalizing, maybe he will write a book about it.
Nope. Sorry. He's shooting from the hip and missed this one.
Interesting that you keep trying to defend your inaccurate post with further anonymous posts. LOL
As referenced in another post, this is a link to an interesting and revealing set of facts and circumstances. So, this is not simply about being overpaid and then paying the money back. This is a criminal indictment.
https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2024/09/11/horn-lake-alderman-charles-roberts-fraud/75175897007/
No, Mr. Farese, he won't. And the scenario of innocense (mistake) you laid out is laughable. You don't make the same mistake every week of saying you had no income while continuing to receive benefits. And if he 'went bankrupt' paying back $23,000, how in the world will he pay you.
You know the free internet legal analysis is woth what you paid when innocence is spelt "innocense"
That's your analysis? If so, what is 'woth'?
I charge tree fiddy for my advice.
Take it or leave it.
Innosense or gilty it's the same price!
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