State Auditor Issues Demand for $159,098 Against Former Alcorn County Supervisor

February 23, 2011

JACKSON- State Auditor Stacey Pickering issued a demand on Thursday, February 17 to Danny Crotts for $159,098.

Crotts was a Supervisor in Alcorn County from 1992 – 2007. The State Auditor’s Office took exception with Crotts’ approval of District 2 road funds and other public funds that were expended by the county between 2002 and 2007 that were for unauthorized purposes or in violation of state law.

“After reviewing this case, it is clear that public funds were misused by Alcorn County Supervisor Danny Crotts repeatedly from 2002 – 2007,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “Crotts used a personally owned barn named Crossroad Blues with a bar and dance floor while billing the county over $15,000 for a ‘District 2 Shop.’ Utilities were paid by the county along with numerous purchases that were unauthorized or in violation of State law. This civil demand represents a significant loss to Alcorn County, and my office will work diligently with the bonding company to ensure that Alcorn County is made whole. We will also continue to work with prosecutorial agencies on any criminal charges that may be forth coming.”

Special agents with the State Auditor’s Office determined that road work was performed on private property; county property was used for personal use; automotive parts were purchased for vehicles not on county inventory; Crotts disposed of government-owned items to the landfill instead of transferring to the supervisor-elect for District 2 when leaving office; and rental of a tractor for $950.00 a month for 63 months using funds restricted by law for road and bridge use, but the tractor was never used for work in District 2.

Crotts, 59 of Glen, Miss., has 30 days to respond to the demand letter or face a civil lawsuit by the Attorney General’s Office.

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Attachment: Demand Letter