White did face questions about Bryant, given that the former governors director of human services and close friends of Bryant were among those arrested and indicted, and the malfeasance appeared to involve programs or companies Bryant had championed. stream McGrew, Smith, Nancy New and Zach New have all pleaded not guilty, according to The Associated Press. Ray Mabus served as state auditor from 1984 to 1988. Recouping taxpayer monies part of State Auditor's focus You get those complaints that come in, and its what did you know and when did you know it. Independent pharmacies across the state are pushing back at what they call unfair practices when it comes to PBM reimbursement.. DHS concealed alleged fraud after welfare scandal - Mississippi Today In 2019, State Auditor Shad White launched an investigation into the PBM serving the states Medicaid program. In 2021, she joined Yall Politics as a Capitol Correspondent. Copyright 2023 WLBT. "It doesn't look good." Former Gov. - Last week Governor Tate Reeves signed HB 405, a key piece of State Auditor Shad White's 2023 legislative agenda. Prior to making that move, she interned for a congressional office in Washington, D.C. and a multi-state government relations and public affairs firm in Jackson, Mississippi. The questionable funds included $5 million for a lease agreement for a multi-purpose wellness center that would later become a volleyball stadium, $635,000 for a virtual reality lab that included individuals who weren't identified as needy and $44,000 to retired professional football players for football camps that focused on student-athletes and did not address helping at-risk youth. Just as in the forensic audit you saw the auditors reached out to a number of people. If extrapolated to the entire Medicaid program, Mississippi could be wrongly paying out between $130 million and $145 million, annually, to ineligible beneficiaries, according to the report. It was valuable work that helped us resolve a potential stop of picking up of garbage.. The case was prosecuted by District Attorney Angel McIlraths office in the courtroom of Judge Kathy King Jackson. Any web site our stories appear on must include a contact for your organization. The fact is that it was work that was performed over a period of six months for the city council. DpTJ MDHS continues criminal investigation into misspent TANF funds, Former U.S. Attorney Brad Piggot is assisting with the investigation, Truck possibly connected to Hinds County jail escape found in Newton County, Teen arrested after two dead, four others injured in Bay St. Louis shooting, Paraplegic fisherman speaks to Beulah Baptist Church, Eleven players with Mississippi ties selected in 2023 NFL Draft, City of Byram awarded thousands of state dollars for infrastructure projects, Belhaven football puts a smile on the face of little girl, First Alert Forecast: mild breezes Monday; rain, storm chances return late week, Request a First Alert Weather School Visit, Advertising Non-Discrimination Certification. ", White said in 2020 after the indictments, "This is an example of money going to or should have gone to folks who needed it through a federal program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Anna Wolfe, a native of Tacoma, Wa., is an investigative reporter writing about poverty and economic justice. Richards filed its first complaint against the mayor and council last summer for failing to pay the company for trash collection services. manager, for charging Medicaid more than the allowed price cap. Since Auditor Shad White arrested Gov. Today State Auditor Shad White hosted a panel discussion on the positive impact present fathers have on their children. White also faced questions early on and criticism from the U.S. Attorneys Office as to why he didnt promptly bring in federal authorities, who have massive investigative resources, particularly since the malfeasance involved federal tax dollars. endobj The amount, roughly $45,000 for Mills, Scanlon, Dye & Pittman, also had been pulled from the April 11 claims docket. <> The company reported over $257 billion in revenue last year. You can call him at 601-559-3857, send it to LSanderlin@gannett.com or message him on Twitter @LeeOSanderlin. You cant edit our stories, except to reflect relative changes in time, location and editorial style. 750 North State St. Jackson, MS 39202. Recouping taxpayer monies part of State Anne Summerhays is a recent graduate of Millsaps College where she majored in Political Science, with minors in Sociology and American Studies. Their vast undercover, wiretap and other resources allow the FBI and DOJ to cast wide nets over criminal conspiracies. White at the time said that his office moved swiftly and without notifying or involving federal authorities so as to halt the scheme before any more money was misspent or stolen. As part of its contract to operate the MDOC prison in Marshall County, MTC developed minimum mandatory staffing levels to ensure the safety of inmates and prison staff. In this May 4, 2017, file photo, Nancy New, owner and Director of the Mississippi Community Education Center (MCEC) and New Learning, Inc., is shown at a social function in Jackson, Miss. More than two years later, federal authorities have not brought any charges related to the welfare scandal. When asked why the item was removed, Deputy City Attorney Terry Williamson said the city attorneys office made the decision after the state auditor reached out regarding the bills and after city legal noticed discrepancies in the hourly rate approved by the council and the amount charged by the attorney.