JACKSON- State Auditor Stacey Pickering announced today that Hinds County Chancery Court Judge Dewayne Thomas has ruled that former Southaven Mayor Greg Davis must repay the full amount of money demanded by the State Auditor’s Office.
“This investigation began more than three years ago, and we have remained committed to protecting the taxpayers of Southaven during this time,” Auditor Pickering said. “Prosecuting public corruption is not easy, but elected officials must be held accountable for their actions and I am pleased with today’s ruling.”
The investigation into Davis began in March 2011 when OSA received a complaint from a Southaven Alderman regarding Davis’ reimbursements from the city.
In November 2011, OSA issued a demand to Davis in the amount of $170,782.28. That sum consisted of the following: $128,642.59 that was paid to Davis’ Capital One credit card based on the personal invoices that he submitted to the City Clerk; two payments of $8,410 and $12,108 that the city made for marriage counseling services on Davis’ behalf; $4,428.19 in charges to Davis’ city credit card related to his trip to marriage counseling; $16,822.14 in interest, and $13,571.18 in investigative costs.
Davis repaid the city $13,199.82 for marriage counseling, was credited for $10,319.24 in charges on his personal credit card, and made a payment on the demand in the amount of $96,000 in December, 2011.
In April 2012, OSA issued a subsequent demand for reimbursement totaling $73,915.27, which included $62,881.89 from the first demand; $5,951.96 of charges on Davis’ city issued credit card; 12% of Davis’ mileage reimbursement, totaling $4,477.92; and $603.50 in per diem that Davis received in connection to his marriage counseling trip. Davis received a reduction in interest for the credit previously received.
In August 2012, OSA sued Davis to recover the amount owed. Davis then filed a counterclaim requesting that the Court order the return of the $96,000 that he paid in response to the initial demand. Judge Thomas ruled in favor of the State Auditor’s Office today.
Unrelated to the civil demands, Davis has been indicted on two counts of embezzlement by a public official and one count of false pretense. The criminal trial begins on June 9 in Desoto County.
###