State Auditor Announces Department of Marine Resource Foundation Considers Decision to Transfer Boats to Mississippi Taxpayers

April 16, 2013

BILOXI, Miss.- Today, State Auditor Stacey Pickering met with Mississippi Department of Marine Resource Foundation board members at the Bolton State Office Building in Biloxi, Miss.

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Auditor Pickering meets with members of the media in Biloxi today to discuss ownership of two boats that are being leased from the DMR Foundation

The board agreed to meet within the next 7 to 10 days to discuss transferring ownership of two boats that were being leased from the DMR Foundation by DMR.  Total taxpayers assets in these two boats, including upgrades, equaled $1,074,517.97 identified to date.

“I appreciate the DMR Foundation board members being cooperative and working towards a process to turn the boats over to DMR,” said Auditor Pickering.  “It is our office’s responsibility to protect the taxpayers’ assets in these boats and to continue to hold those accountable who misuse taxpayer money.”

This is the initial action of the civil portion of this ongoing investigation into misuse of taxpayer funds within DMR and has no relation to the potential criminal aspects of this case.

Details on the boats (click on photo for larger image):

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1990 Californian (Left)
Length:  42 foot
Breadth:  18 foot

1984 Topaz (Right)
Length: 36 foot
Breadth: 13 foot

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