Sunday, August 25, 2013

Sun Herald: DMR needs to get money back before asking for more

The Sun Herald took DMR to task in a recent editorial after the agency asked for more money from the legislature:

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources Executive Director Jamie Miller is asking the state Legislature for hundreds of thousands of additional tax dollars. But until Miller and state Auditor Stacey Pickering recover millions of dollars the DMR has misspent in recent years, the agency should not receive additional taxpayer funding.

Although dealing with a leaner budget during the next fiscal year could create a burden for the agency, there must be consequences to the agency's misdeeds.

Even as state and federal investigations into the DMR drag on, what prevents Miller and Pickering from trying to immediately recoup tax dollars already identified as having been spent inappropriately?

For instance, the outstanding balance on the more than $1 million Pickering demanded of Bill Walker, the former executive director of the DMR, would more than cover Miller's request for an additional $430,000 from state taxpayers.

Then there are the untold millions the DMR squandered under the Coastal Impact Assistance Program. An audit by the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Inspector General identified $30 million in CIAP grants awarded along the Coast as being "ineligible," "unsupported" or not put to the best use. And that was just from an examination of $39 million of the $99.8 million in CIAP grants administered from FY 2009 through FY 2012 by the DMR and the three coastal counties. What might a full audit of the $99.8 million reveal?

Yet even before there is an accounting of these misspent millions, Miller wants hundreds of thousands of dollars more.

He shouldn't get it.

Indeed, he shouldn't even be asking for more money until regular annual audits -- which would likely have prevented this current scandal -- confirm the DMR can again be trusted with public funds. Rest of editorial

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

How do you want him to pay for the audits? If they aren't doing them now and they weremt in last years budget.

Anonymous said...

FBI is all over this. Look for 5-10 people going to the Fed Pen on this. Most will cut deals if not all of them.

Anonymous said...

Not goin' to no fed pen for no stinkin' boat wide.

Anonymous said...

What is really troubling is the fact that Stacey Pickering along with DMR Director Jamie Miller just released information on a secret negotiated settlement that they both signed off on allowing the Marine Resource Foundation and its members/officers/participants to walk on the balance of a demand for over $900,000.This demand from the Ms.State Auditor for $1,074,519.97 was made and the only thing given by this MSF gang were 2-30 year old boats which were liqudated for a total of $126,114.05.Then to further insult the taxpayers of our state these foundation members were given credit for equipment removed from the boats that was 4 years old for the full the purchase price of $169,982.55.This fake part of the settlement should not be allowed. The balance owed in my opinion is/was $948,405.92.Why,when Stacey Pickering travels around this state investigating people like Glenn Patterson in Hinds County who went to prison over $71,421.63 and was order to pay restitution, does this enterprise and its members get to walk away without any money out of pocket or punishment. Zero, none, nada. Why? The taxpayers from Corinth to Biloxi have been cheated by this misuse of their money. We need to demand answers from the man we elected to the position of Auditor who is supposed to protect our interests. But don't waste your time emailing him ,he does not respond. I guess he is to busy picking up money at fundraisers or going to a press release to announce the demand and collection from people like Jessica Bates from Utica who has to pay full restitution for her misuse of public funds. Let the DMR collect some of the millions misused before considering giving or trusting them with one additional penny or have Pickering and Miller call !-800-Bill Walker and ask that he turn some of money he misused in without prosecution.

Anonymous said...

Who will audit the state auditor?

Anonymous said...

While they are looking for money they need to stop giving out no bid contracts to companies like Horne and Frontier Gulf Coast. That was $150,000+ that I believe was a waste. Thanks Kingfish for allowing posts on the DMR. We should all be mad as hell what has been allowed to go on with our hard earned tax dollars. Stacey Pickering should be ashamed of his prosecution of a secretary but not a director of a state agency for the misuse of public money.

Anonymous said...

I would like to know how much money he hauled back to Jackson from the fundraiser held for him down in Ocean Springs at the home of Joe Cloyd, part owner of Frontier Gulf Coast. He should provide a list of donors who gave any money even below that $200 threshold.Did Josh Gregory fly him down to the Coast from up here? Come clean Pickering.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Stacey Pickering and Phil Bryant for not auditing the DMR for the last 10 years. This is exactly how long Bill Walker was the director. You both more or less participated in the misuse of public monies totaling millions by turning this man loose with his agenda to loot the place. Good work, you both should be proud.

Anonymous said...

Corder & Lange carry more of Pickering's water in 3 -- 2 -- 1.

Anonymous said...

Stacey Pickering has a record he cannot run from. The very obvious lack of prosecution at the DMR compared to his very aggressive pursuit of individuals around the state is appalling.I hope people thru out the state are paying attention to his actions.

Anonymous said...

Pickering should resign - the question goes back to the very question "who audits the auditor?". He and Lynn Fitch both had fundraisers on the beach. Fitch had one at Scott Walker's house last summer. Bill Walker was one of the host as well as George Malvaney. By the way, MHP Commissioner Santa Cruz lives with him when he is in Jackson. A bunch of crooks - Pickering, Fitch, Cloyd, Walker, Gregory - Frontier, and don't forget Phil Bryant - they are all tied together - follow the money. Frontier has contracts with MDA, DRM, MPACT (Treasury), and who knows what coming.

Anonymous said...

Sort of like weekend at George's place with Trudy and the gang watching those old KKK movies or newsclips of the "Fun in the Sun on a Skimmer made for You" I guess. I find it interesting Malvaney's name appeared on the Lynn Fitch invite at Scott Walkers but was not listed on Stacey Pickering's fundraiser at Joe Cloyds. Oh my how things have changed in the last year.Got to give your money without getting your name in lights. No pictures of George,Bill and Moby together at the Jolly this year either. I know Bill was there looking very lonely. He was pitiful without his buds.He had to spend the entire night with his son and wife. Is Malvaney out of favor now with the DMR Empire crumbling. Bill, Sharon and Scott Walker are about as popular as nuclear waste is to the Sierra Club and I suspect they have tainted Malvaney if possible. I know he is tight with the boys at Frontier. What is Santa Cruz hanging with them for? Free room and board? Do not know him but this cannot be good for ones image here in Jackson

Anonymous said...

Looks like Lynn Fitch has gotten in bed with the crooks - she paid $27,750 to Frontier to redesign her webiste - paid for by MPACT - which was supposed to promote the MPACT program. She used trust fund money for a program she shut down. If you go and read the contract between Treasury and Frontier, it says nothing about a "web redesign". Go to
https://merlin.state.ms.us/CONTRACTS/NETS-8X9NC2_FRONTIER_CONTRACT.pdf
It also looks like Phil's agencies are doling more money out to Frontier: MHP, MDA ets.

Anonymous said...

I heard that Fitch had a highway patrol detail with her at the Neshoba County Fair - provided by Malvaney. Why hasn't the press picked up on that. Santa Cruz, Malvaney, Fitch, Pickering, Bryant, Frontier - bunch of crooks!

Anonymous said...

You need to read Fitch's two divorce cases - interesting! Lee Yancey had it, but didn't use it - a shame - he should have!

Anonymous said...

Very sad to say I thought Bryant's administration would leave behind the cronyism of Haley Barbour. Such a disappointment that his own campaign consultants are allowed to get away with this sort of abuse of access to make big money. Should be investigated by the federal authorities. We know Stacey Pickering will not do anything. Jim Hood, are you still alive or do the Republicans have you locked up somewhere? I have to wonder what has happened to this guy. Not a peep. They have shut him down.

Anonymous said...

If Fitch did use the Highway Patrol for an escort, she broke the law. READ BELOW:

45-3-39. Prohibition as to personal use of cars, materials and equipment


No state officer or other person shall utilize at any time any uniform, car, material or equipment of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol for his personal use or for private purposes except in an emergency, and except to the extent authorized by Section 25-1-85, Mississippi Code of 1972. A breach of this provision shall constitute a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed One Hundred Dollars ($ 100.00), or thirty (30) days in jail, or both. Nothing in this section, however, shall be construed to apply to the Governor or Lieutenant Governor of the State of Mississippi.

Anonymous said...

How did this Malvaney guy get this kind of stroke? He can get a MHP for his picked candidate for the next Lt.Governor ? I could understand someone that has been an admitted past member of the KKK staying low and behind the curtain of political society but he seems to be tolerated front and center. Must be the oil spill clean up money. Some people will do anything for those that underwrite their political desires. We are seeing a lot of that now on a state level.

Anonymous said...

10:40, Wonder if you are thinking about being Lt.Gov. would a MHP escort be allowed? Maybe someone should call Tater and let him know they are getting ready to start the push to get him out. They need a yes woman in that spot to be able to totally control the state prior to Mississippi leaving the Union again. Then we can be free of abortion clinics, Mexican workers, same sex relationships and everyone will be able to carry a sidearm to kill with anytime someone winks at their spouse. Kinda sounds like where we are headed. Get your sheets clean.I need an extra large.

Anonymous said...

I think Jim Hood ought to investigate Malvaney, Fitch and Santa Cruz in regard to Mississippi Code section 45-3-39 - clearly a violation of state law was broken when she was escorted to the Neshoba County Fair by two MHP officers. They could have been working the highways instead of walking around the fair with Fitch!

Anonymous said...

Why has Jim Hood been totally quite about all of this? Has he changed parties? If Mike Moore were still in Office He wood bitch slap Stacey Pickering and take charge of these investigations after he called Eric Holder for backup. What has happened to the Ms.Attorney General's office? Sure seems like Hoody has been declawed and sedated.

Anonymous said...

This is absolutely comedy central! What a joke! So you 6 people who continuously post on here... Let me tell ya something. You are a pathetic joke. Y'all are so intimidated by Fitch it's hysterical. Let's talk about that state code and how it really applies to people like Tate Reeves and Philip Gunn who hold PART TIME JOBS and have 100% detail 365 days a year. Driving out to Flowood and Clinton every single day picking them up and taking their kids to school. Tate Reeves who had a perfectly good state vehicle and chose to make the state pay for an expensive SUV with all this added equipment for his kids costing the taxpayers over $90,000. Really? Who's paying for Philip Gunn's Famous Issues Tour he is getting ready to embark on? If anybody deserves detail it's the Statewide Elected Officials and not these PART TIMERS. Luckily, only about 1% of the voting public reads this pathetice blog, and of course us politicos, so no worries. You're ignorant antics didnt work against her before, nor will it work now. But it's good to know how scared y'all are. Lovin it!

Anonymous said...

OK, now that we have heard from Lynns number one fan KKKan I say the law should be applied to all in the same manner.I do not think any waste of the taxpayers money is a "Comedy Central joke" but I guess their are others that would disagree.I also find it funny the people that read something they consider a "pathetic blog" get so worked up over the wrong things.

Anonymous said...

By law, ONLY the Governor and Lt. Governor may use MHP - not the Speaker, not any other state-wide elected offical! IT'S THE LAW! Phil and Tate are provided sercurity by the Executive Protection Division of the highway patrol - just like previous Governors and Lt. Governors were.

Anonymous said...

11:41 - How do you know how much Tate's ride cost, unless you're closely connected with Santa Cruz (BTW - were you realy in the Klan?)

bill said...

Read the law again, folks. "...for his personal use or for private purposes..." You can argue all you want about whether Lynn's use of the MHP escort at the Neshoba fair was personal, but as long as she designated it as part of the job then she was within the rules. Same with Gunn. If he deems that his listening tour is part of his official duties then we pay for his vehicle and driver. Prove that they weren't acting in their official capacities and the criticism is valid, but you won't be able to do that.

Anonymous said...

Bill, thank you for that comment and while I completely disagree with it, you are right in the "letter" aspect. My problem is why in the world does the State Treasurer and Speaker need protection?? We all know, it's cool and special and sets them apart and those that know both of them, know they like that. It's not even that it costs alot. It's just bad. You Republicans said things would be different when y'all took over. Hah!!

Anonymous said...

3:37 It is different - a lot of Dems got booted off the gravy train, so that's different. Hah! yourself.


nb to pinheads: I deplore Repubs wasting tax dollars on themselves and their cronies too.

Anonymous said...

11:41-The reference to the KKK or Klan pertains to the past admitted membership of George Malvaney who has been mentioned many times on JJ. He once did am interview with a newspaper about his involvement in the Klan.His other claim to fame was for being part of a group who were planning to overthrow an Island Nation off the coast of Central America.This escapade got him a few years in the federal pen. The whole episode is written about in a book called "Bayou of Pigs" which is available on Amazon.com. He seems to be proud of his colorful past and hangs at the very top of the political structure of our state. A lot of his power/popularity comes from being a money bundler for various politicians. He admits to hating blacks at one point in his life in one of his interviews but has always loved green. I think there has to be a movie in the works about his amazing life and rehabilitation. Something like "Mississippi Mud's New Frontier" Staring George, Josh, Joe and Jamie. Directed by Bill and Scott Walker and funded by Trudy using BP money. Got to love these guys and gals, they are all destined to be famous for something in the future.

Anonymous said...

11:41 touched on some interesting items. You 6 or 8 or 9 bloggers that constantly post are getting pretty boring in your comments. BUT the smoking gun with the Cloyd thing is wide open and Matt the FBI guy that has interviewed anyone and everyone under the sun ever tied to this whole sordid DMR, D'Iberville, tax evasion, spillionaire deal is about to seal the deal. Enough time has passed. Time for justice. The shame of it all is that Omega Protein out of Moss Pt. are the biggest BP environmental scammers of all and they got $43M from BP.

Anonymous said...

I want to see that movie. Wonder if it ends with some of those portrayed in jail? Maybe the old saying "the South will rise again" was meant to mean after all the consultants are run out? Until they are gone we will stay beat down as a state.

Anonymous said...

While some might find the comments boring I think each one provides a little more info about corruption, fraud, dereliction of duties, unfair access, and in some cases peoples history they would like to forget about. Many who read this blog feel the same as myselfit is enlightening.Thanks Kingfish.

Anonymous said...

In Washington D.C. the consultants like to have an office on K Street. In Jackson,Ms.,where do they like to work from? George Malvaney, who also claims to be a consultant could start a new trend Is there a K street in Jackson? Did you know Malvaney has previously worked at both the DMR and DEQ ? Mmmm.... strange coincidence.

Anonymous said...

For the person who says there are only 6 or 8 posters, I just can't say. But what I will tell you is that all 400-500 insiders/influence spinners read it!! That's the issue. If Pender or any other of these noble journalists would, why don't they bust this up? Phil and Tate are fighting and they matter because they are running the show right now. Gunn, Fitch, Pickering are all bit players that don't mind crossing the moral line. I know it's technically against the law to have a security detail but they shouldn't do it even if it wasn't! Really, who the hell cares who the Speaker, Treasurer, or Auditor is, I mean really. The fact they've gotten corrupted is no different than we've seen for years. On Fitch and Pickering, it's only the tip of the iceberg. If they ever run in a real race, it will all come pouring out.

Anonymous said...

OK,only 6-8 posters dribbling all this out is fine. Heck, I read only one newspaper on most days that do not offer the info I find on this blog. I agree many, many, many and more read what is posted here.

Anonymous said...

The time has come for the inside track guys like Cloyd, Gouras, Gregory, McNabb, Goode, Grubbs, Meacham, Waggoner, Furr, Horne, Butler Snow, ...and the list goes on.....to back off. Every RFP or Bid should not go to you due to some inside track you have because of a fundraiser. Laugh if you want but heads will roll. Just watch and wait

Anonymous said...

You forgot Malvaney. The contracts USES gets thru MsDEQ and Trudy are in the minutes of their meetings. He has moved on from Oil Spill Cleanup to being the states main environmental man.

Anonymous said...

We'll congratulations. You all were able to do what the FBI was not able to do, gather enough evidence to confirm and publicize the corruption of many of the afore mentioned people who were not even indicted. I am extremely impressed with your efficient use of resources. You all have topped the FBI with nothing more than a computer and the extremely credible grapevine. I am very curious on a fewer other subjects and wanted to bring in the big guns such as: the existence of aliens, when Jesus will return, big foot, Atlantis, and when the world will end. I am looking forward to this elusive information you all will have no trouble tracking down.

Thanks,

Tupac Shakur



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