JACKSON- State Auditor Stacey Pickering announced today the arrests of Dolister and Malcolm Sanders, a husband and wife providing lawn care services to Rankin County Schools, on the charges of Fraudulent Statements and Representations; Conspiracy to Defraud; Tampering with Physical Evidence; and Wire Fraud.
Dolister and Malcolm Sanders are the owners of Sanders Lawn Service and have a service contract with the Rankin County School District. Sanders Lawn Service was allegedly not performing the work or providing the purchased product as detailed in the contract with RCSD or on invoices to RCSD. The contract with RCSD has been in place since July 2005. The State Auditor expects additional arrests forthcoming in this investigation.
“Our investigation uncovered invoices from Sanders Lawn Service for $80,260.30 for pine straw purchased that was never provided to Rankin County School District,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “Sanders Lawn Service created documents that concealed the fact the pine straw was not provided to Rankin County School District as reflected on the invoices submitted for payment. I appreciate the work of District Attorney Michael Guest in bringing this case before the Grand Jury. Schools districts across the state are finding more ways to save money in order to provide the best classroom experience for our children and ensure that the children are the top priority. An individual looking for an opportunity to steal from our students and teachers is unacceptable, and as State Auditor, I will hold these individuals accountable.”
Clinton Police Department and Jackson Police Department assisted special agents with the State Auditor’s Office in these two arrests. Dolister and Malcolm Sanders were booked in to Rankin County Jail today. At the time of the release of this information, it was unknown whether Dolister or Malcolm Sanders had posted bond.
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