State Auditor Shad White has released the annual Audit Exceptions Report for Fiscal Year 2021.
White said his office identified nearly 400% more stolen and misspent taxpayer money last year than it did the year before. This comes in addition to the $55.5 million a pharmacy benefit management company has agreed to pay the state after being investigated by the Auditor’s office.
The State Auditor’s office also returned nearly $900,000 to taxpayers during the last fiscal year.
“I want to thank the investigators and auditors for their tireless work this year,” said Auditor White. “Every ounce of credit for the work you read about in this report goes to them.”
State law requires the Auditor’s office to publish an Exceptions Report every year. An audit “exception” is a violation of the law or an accounting error resulting in the misspending of public funds. Not all exceptions listed in the report are criminal violations.
The report includes all new demands issued in the last fiscal year and updates on old, unsettled cases. Here are just a few of the more sizeable cases:
Former Coahoma County Community College employees Gwendolyn Jefferson & Stacie Neal
$981,600.64 – Embezzlement, Conspiracy, False Statements and Representations
Status: On September 21, 2018, joint and several formal demands were issued in the amount of $981,600.64. On May 31, 2019, Jefferson was indicted on 1 count of Embezzlement and 1 count of Conspiracy; Neal was indicted on 1 count of Embezzlement, 1 count of Conspiracy, and 1 count of False Statements and Representations. For Fiscal Year 2021, no payments have been received, leaving a balance of $881,600.64. Neal and Jefferson are currently awaiting trial.
Former McComb Court Clerk, Greta Patterson
$1,018,375.00 – Embezzlement
Status: On December 14, 2015, Patterson pled guilty to Embezzlement and was sentenced to 10 years in custody of MDOC, with 8 years suspended, and 2 years in the intensive supervision program. Additionally, Patterson was ordered to surrender her PERS retirement account, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,018,375.00. For Fiscal Year 2021, payments in the amount of $7,225.00 have been received.
Former Greenville Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Harvey Franklin, Sr.
$1,201,247.00 – Fraud
Status: On May 15, 2012, Dr. Franklin resigned as the Superintendent of Education for the Greenville Public School District. On August 2, 2012, Dr. Franklin pled guilty in federal court to 2 counts of Accepting a Bribe and 1 count of Embezzlement, for which the government sought forfeiture of a 2010 Ford F-150 and Real Property identified as 930 South Washington, Greenville, Washington County, Mississippi, 38701, and as Parcel #15444400000 in Washington County, Mississippi, Tax Assessor records. On November 13, 2013, Franklin was sentenced to 76 months each on two counts and 60 months on a third count, to be served concurrently. Franklin was also ordered to pay joint and several restitution with Edna Goble totaling $1,201,247.00 with $75,000.00 due immediately. He will also perform 300 hours of community service. On August 2, 2012, Franklin’s 2010 Ford F-150 truck was forfeited, and on October 25, 2015, the truck was awarded to the State of Mississippi, with a value of $20,600.00. This case was jointly investigated with the Office of Inspector General Education. Federal restitution is still owed.
Greenville Public Schools Vendor, Edna Goble
$1,201,247.00 – Conspiracy to Pay Bribes
Status: On June 19, 2014, Goble pled guilty to 1 count of Conspiracy to Pay Bribes and was sentenced to 30 months in prison, and 3 years of supervised release. Goble admitted to paying bribes and kickbacks to Harvey Franklin. Goble was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,201,247.00 jointly and severally with Franklin. This case was jointly investigated with the Office of Inspector General Education. Federal restitution is still owed.
Click here to see the complete county-by-county 2021 Exceptions Report.
