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Former auditors question whether Shad White was too close to investigate Phil Bryant
State Auditor Shad White’s close connections with former Gov. Phil Bryant have helped cast doubt over the independence and rigor of the state welfare investigation led by White.
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There are several different ways, some criminal and some just wrong, that the people in charge of the welfare program misspent the money, according to auditors.
1) Agency and nonprofit employees are accused of forging documents in order to issue or cover up illegal payments, sometimes to themselves – a clear crime.
2) Officials and contractors awarded TANF money for activities or programs that did not serve the poor or satisfy other goals of the welfare program, a possible violation of federal regulations.
3) Officials awarded money to specific vendors – at times on the suggestion of political figures – without an application or bid process, a possible violation of federal grant guidance.
A federal grant purchase might be wasteful, constitute a conflict of interest or violate federal grant rules, but not rise to the level of a crime. That’s why criminal charges in the state’s case so far cover only about $4 million, while the auditor’s office has recommended civil damages up to $96 million – $77 million the office says John Davis misspent plus interest.
Mississippi welfare: What we bought versus what we could have bought
We broke down what an audit alleges the Mississippi Department of Human Services actually purchased versus what could have been purchased with funding from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, intended to assist families in poverty or prevent families from reaching poverty.
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HOW IT ALL STARTED
We’ve been chasing this story on corruption in Mississippi’s welfare programs for two years
We know that this story matters to you and Mississippi. Our reporting on corruption in welfare programs is far from over, and we want your support.
Help us keep public officials accountable by supporting Anna Wolfe’s investigative reporting.
READ ALL OF OUR mississippi Welfare COVERAGE
State files lawsuit to recoup $24 million in welfare funds from Brett Favre, WWE wrestlers and 34 other people or companies
The Mississippi Department of Human Services filed a civil lawsuit against 38 individuals or entities it says took welfare money from the state.
Judge, former CPS commissioner recuses himself from welfare embezzlement case
Judge Jess Dickinson, assigned to oversee the fraud and embezzlement case against former welfare agency director John Davis, has recused himself.
New judge in John Davis’ welfare embezzlement case is his former colleague
Jess Dickinson, the new judge, ran the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services while John Davis ran the Mississippi Department of Human Services.
Welfare scandal: Hinds DA pursues new indictment, News ask to relocate trial
A grand jury will consider newly gathered information on Nancy and Zach New, figures in Mississippi’s massive welfare scandal.
In welfare scandal, judge weighs public interest versus the right to a fair trial
A judge in Mississippi’s welfare embezzlement case said it appears as if officials are attempting to try former MDHS director John Davis’ case in the media.
Mississippi Today’s Anna Wolfe explains sprawling welfare fraud case
Mississippi Today investigative reporter Anna Wolfe on the state’s sprawling welfare scandal: “The big question that I have now… How far up the chain this is going to go?”
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