A Rankin County grand jury indicted former Richland Mayor William Patrick Sullivan of the Fightin' Sullivans clan for false representation to defraud the government on March 18. Sullivan moonlit as a mapper in the Rankin County Tax Assessor's office. His brother just happened to be the Rankin County Tax Assessor. The indictment states:
On or in between April 1, 2018 and April 30, 2023, in Rankin County, Mississippi and within the jurisdiction of this court, the defendant, WILLIAM PATRICK SULLIVAN, with intent to defraud the state or any department, agency, office, board, commission, county, municipality, or other subdivision of state or local government, did knowingly, unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously, make any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations, or did make or use any false writing or document, knowing the same to contain false, fictitious or fraudulent statements, to-wit: by submitting fraudulent payroll timesheets and/or accepting fraudulent payroll payments from his employer, the Rankin County Tax Assessor, when William Patrick Sullivan knew that he did not work the hours claimed on the payroll timesheet, in violation of §97-7-10 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, etc.
Sullivan's alleged shenanigans came to light after a WLBT investigation that was appropriately named Side Hustle. WLBT determined Sullivan's time sheets just happened to coincide with his employment as Mayor for over 200 days. The investigation revealed Sullivan submitted time sheets for time when he was out of town on Richland city business. His employment began before his brother assumed office. Article on investigation.
WLBT also questioned the time sheets submitted by then-Pearl Police Chief Dean Scott. Scott worked in the same capacity as Sullivan at the Rankin County Tax Assessor's office.
Special Assistant Attorney General Stephanie Brown is prosecuting Sullivan. The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Bradley Mills.
24 comments:
This conduct seems to be popular in Rankin County.
“Equal Justice Under Law…” except in Rankin County
Don't get into a hot tub with those boys.
where is Deans indictment?
He could’ve kept this grift up for a lot longer had he only kept his timesheets in order. What an amatuer.
-Six figure earner, working in state government
Who approved the time sheets? Would the be considered to be complicit?
Been waiting on this. Hopefully there is an action started at PERS and elsewhere that all revokes his high and such as well.
'Bout time.
Hey hey
Ho ho
All the crooks have got to go!
Cleaning house in Rankin County. Please continue.
The Gold Coast lives on!
There are crooks in Rankin county but they aren't always publicized and we know why . Thanks to WLBT for always uncovering the crooks in Rankin County. The Sheriff needs to go as well.
Cleaning house needs to start with the Rankin County Board of Supervisors and their board attorney.
Certain individuals who years ago voiced complaints on this blog about tacky nightclubs in Jackson during the downtown revitalization efforts...I can report those trashy business owners are now cozied up with our Rankin County supervisor who also just ran unopposed.
Please keep cleaning house and exposing these grifters. We do not want them.
Signed
-This Rankin Resident
This was an excellent investigation by CJ Lemaster and WLBT.
I knew my complaining on JJ about the lack of action on this situation would get some action. Actually I thought lazy Lynn Fitch would let this slide, but she can’t afford much negative press since she’s already perceived as incompetent.
A Rankin County grand jury did not indict former Pearl Police Chief Dean Scott last month. That means he will not face any criminal charges. A WLBT investigation found timesheets and documents that showed Scott getting paid for a county job while doing city business on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Scott resigned from his job as police chief and the county after our report. He is now a lieutenant for the Capitol Police. I hope they are monitoring his time sheets vs. where he's actually working.
I wouldn’t disparage the “Fighting Sullivans” good name by even mentioning them on the same page, much less story, of these clowns.
Rankin County should be ashamed if they don’t vote out the board of supervisors.
7:12 pm How do you know his case has been presented to the Grand Jury yet? Hopefully it will be presented if it has not been.
One would think the position of MAYOR is an exempt position under DOL Wage Hour regulations. And as such, would not allow or require 'time sheets'. If so, the position, under DOL regulations, becomes an hourly position falling under overtime regulations.
Guess you were surprised by what happened. Bet the former mayor is pissed off.
Not all of the crooks have to go. Some know more than people need to know about who we elect.
Post a Comment