SOUTHAVEN, Miss.–It’s another devastating blow to claims by former Southaven Mayor Greg Davis that he was entertaining people on city business and was on city business when he filled up his personal car on the taxpayers’ dime. Davis was found guilty of embezzlement and making false representations to defraud the government Wednesday.
And, it wasn’t just a couple of fill-ups. Prosecutors said it was more than $4,000 in gas, and that the SUV he was driving actually belonged to the city. Davis just switched the tags without authorization.
He will be sentenced July 10.
Davis was already ordered to pay the money back to the taxpayers of Southaven by the state auditor’s office. He’s been fighting the demand. That demand was originally issued against Davis in November 2011 in the amount of $170,782.28. He paid back $96,000 and currently under court order to pay the additional $73,915.27 the Auditor demanded.
“I am very pleased with the verdict and am glad DeSoto County jurors held him accountable for his actions,” said District Atty. John Champion.
“This has been a long investigation and process but I am pleased with today’s ruling and hope it will bring some closure to the citizens of Southaven,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “I would like to thank District Attorney John Champion for his hard work and dedication to this case.”
