Funds Recovered for Clay, Alcorn Counties

JACKSON- State Auditor Stacey Pickering recovered $69,220.76 and presented a check in the amount of $57,512.99, yesterday, June 5, to the Clay County Circuit Clerk’s Office following an investigation into former Circuit Clerk Bobbie Davis’ misappropriations of public funds.

The amount returned represents $49,503.57 in principal costs, $8,009.42 in interest, and $11,707.77 in investigative costs.

The Auditor’s Office found that Davis misappropriated county funds by not settling monies which were receipted into her office. Davis used these funds to pay fees to herself as well as to make a down payment on a vehicle. Davis worked for Clay County in both part-time and full-time positions, prior to being elected Circuit Clerk in 1995. These funds represent a civil settlement from the bond company on behalf of the Circuit Clerk. As Circuit Clerk, Davis had the responsibility to account for all taxpayer funds handled by her office.

Davis was found not guilty for criminal intent, but she remained responsible to the taxpayers for misspending $49,503.57 in funds for her 2000-2004 term as Circuit Clerk.

“The State Auditor’s Office began investigating this case in 2003,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “I hope this recovery sends the message that the Auditor’s Office will pursue all avenues, civil and criminal, to protect the taxpayers, regardless of how long it takes.”

Pickering’s office also recovered $25,277.23 and presented it to the Alcorn County Chancery Clerk’s Office.

This follows an investigation into misappropriations of public funds by Reggie Churchwell, former manager of the Crossroads Arena and Convention Center in Corinth, Mississippi.

Churchwell misappropriated public funds from the Crossroads Arena by failing to document receipts. He had the responsibility to supervise and account for all funds as the Director for the convention center. The amount returned to Alcorn County includes principal and interest costs.

“The money returned today restores funds that the Crossroads Arena can use to recover from its loss,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “Our Special Agents will continue to do their job on behalf of the taxpayers of Mississippi to ensure that those in managerial positions are held to the highest level of accountability.”

 

 

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