JACKSON, Miss. – From fuel and electricity to food and asphalt, taxpayers are paying more for almost everything government agencies in Mississippi purchase. This finding comes from a report released today by State Auditor Shad White’s office showing some of the costs taxpayers will bear after inflation increased the cost of items government agencies purchase. The purpose of this report is to alert policymakers to the cost of inflation on government spending and to help public officials more effectively plan future budgets by anticipating these costs.
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JACKSON, Miss. – Today State Auditor Shad White announced Special Agents from his office have arrested Melissa Cook in Yalobusha County. Cook, a former accounts receivable clerk, was indicted by a local grand jury for embezzlement from Yalobusha General Hospital—a publicly owned hospital where she was previously employed. Special Agents delivered a $102,089.74 demand letter to Cook upon her arrest. The demand amount includes interest and investigative expenses.
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JACKSON, Miss. – Today State Auditor Shad White announced former Grenada County Deputy Chancery Clerk Vicky Blaylock has pleaded guilty to grand larceny. A demand letter of $16,894.49 was served to her. The demand amount includes credit for partial payments, interest, and investigative expenses.
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JACKSON, Miss. – State Auditor Shad White’s team discovered millions of questioned costs according to their newly released Single Audit of federal funds flowing through Mississippi. The audit includes federal funds spent by state agencies from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021. During this time, many state agencies were drawing down federal stimulus dollars from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF).
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JACKSON, Miss. – Today State Auditor Shad White announced Charles Smith, a former employee of Jackson County, has been convicted of two counts of embezzlement. The case was prosecuted by District Attorney Angel McIlrath’s office in the courtroom of Judge Robert Krebs. The guilty plea and sentencing were recorded earlier this month.
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JACKSON, Miss. – Today State Auditor Shad White announced that Cedric Cornelius has pleaded guilty to 3 counts of Fraudulent Writing to Defraud the Government, 2 counts of False Statements, 1 count of Conspiracy, and 1 count of Bribery of a Public Official in connection with the ongoing Hinds County Election Commission case.
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JACKSON, Miss. – Today State Auditor Shad White announced the City of Cleveland as the third winner of the Mississippi Public Innovations and Efficiencies (PIE) Award. The PIE award is given to government offices for cutting costs, reducing waste, and improving efficiency in the workplace.
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Management & Training Corporation failed to meet staffing obligations, putting staff and inmates at risk

JACKSON, Miss. – Today State Auditor Shad White announced that Special Agents from his office have served Management & Training Corporation (MTC) with a civil demand totaling nearly $2 million after the company failed to follow the terms of its contract to operate the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) facility in Marshall County. The total demand amount—$1,991,774.10—includes interest and investigative costs.
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JACKSON, Miss. – Today State Auditor Shad White announced Special Agents from his office have served two individuals in Marshall County with demand letters and indictments after local grand jury proceedings. Dana Walker, a former high school secretary, and Amanda McDonald, a former library director, are both accused of embezzlement in separate cases. Walker was served with a $53,594.68 demand letter, and McDonald was served with an $8,174.86 demand letter. Interest and recovery costs are included in the demand amounts.
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Carol Jackson stole money meant for feeding needy children

JACKSON, Miss. – Today State Auditor Shad White announced Carol Jackson has been given the maximum prison sentence allowed by state law after she admitted to committing fraud and diverting over $40,000 away from needy children. The sentencing order was recorded in Judge W. Ashley Hines’s courtroom earlier this week.
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