Pickering returns funds misused by supervisor to county

LEAKESVILLE — State Auditor Stacey Pickering has returned $70,280.72 to Greene County following an investigation into supervisors’ misuse of funds used as part of an illegal kickback scheme carried out through a contract for Katrina debris removal and legal expenses.

These funds represent $64,030.72 in principal and $2,146.08 in interest and investigative costs.

Pickering previously returned over $18,000.00 to Greene County.

In May 2011, Pickering issued a demand against Greene County Supervisor Earnest Holder after being found guilty of bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery in April 2011 in the United States District Court, Southern District of Mississippi. An additional $17,200 was recovered from Holder’s home and taken by the FBI. The investigation showed this money was received by Earnest Holder from a contractor that received a debris-removal contract from Greene County Board of Supervisors. Holder was removed from his position as Greene County supervisor May 20.

“This is a step in the right direction,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “The money returned today should help restore the reputation and the integrity of the taxpayers of Greene County following Hurricane Katrina.”