JACKSON, Miss. – Today State Auditor Shad White announced his office returned over $160,000 to Mississippi taxpayers last month after previous investigations by the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor determined public funds were stolen or misused. Significant amounts were recovered from demands to William “Bill” Walker and George Nangah.

• Bill Walker is the former executive director of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (DMR) and was issued a demand for over $360,000 in November 2013. After pleading guilty to embezzlement and serving time in federal prison, Walker remains liable for over $350,000.

• George Nangah is the former city clerk for Coldwater in Tate County. He was arrested and issued a demand letter worth over $300,000 in October 2018 after being indicted on multiple charges. The Auditor’s office has recovered $50,000 in this case, leaving Nangah owing over $250,000 to local taxpayers.

“It’s a good day when you can return money to the taxpayers. My office has now returned over $1.5 million to taxpayers in the last year since I’ve been in office,” said White. “Returning money is what motivates me and the other 130 people who come to work every day in the auditor’s office. I’m grateful for their work on behalf of Mississippi’s hard-working families.”

Since July 2018, State Auditor Shad White has issued demands worth approximately $4.6 million in stolen or misspent public money on behalf of Mississippi taxpayers. Once recovered by the Auditor’s office, the money is returned to the agencies, counties, municipalities, or other government entities from which it came.

Fraud and embezzlement can be reported to the Office of the State Auditor 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.