Senate approves Mann as head of tax board

JACKSON — The Mississippi Senate has confirmed Gov. Haley Barbour’s nominee to lead a new state Tax Appeals Board, despite some lawmakers’ concerns about the federal conviction of her former business partner in Georgia.

Thirty-one senators voted yesterday for the confirmation of Janet H. Mann of Jackson, and eight voted against it. Thirteen did not vote. Her six-year term begins July 1.

Mann is a certified public accountant. One of her ex-business partners, former Georgia state Rep. Robin Williams, was convicted in 2005 on federal charges of conspiring to steal money from a mental health center in Augusta, Ga.

Mann and Williams were partners in Capitol Health Systems Inc., a Mississippi-based company that had contracts with Community Mental Health Center of East Central Georgia. She testified against Williams in his trial.