State auditors sifting through files at Marine Resources

BILOXI — Officials from the State Auditor’s Office were at the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources offices in Biloxi yesterday, sifting through files in the executive director’s office.

Lauren Thompson, DMR director of communications, told The Sun Herald the State Auditor’s Office is conducting an investigation. The nature of the investigation is not clear.

The State Auditor’s Office refused to comment on the investigation.

The state Legislature created the DMR as a new state agency in 1994. It manages coastal resources, through the authority of the Commission on Marine Resources. The DMR manages all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas for the long-term recreational, educational, commercial and economic benefit of the public.