Way to go, guys! You're finally figuring the system out!
(And yes, I'm kidding. It doesn't look like Bully Bloc did anything wrong in any way.)
Auditor: Southaven wrong for paying PAC
By JB Clark
News Reporter
Published: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 4:19 PM CST
SOUTHAVEN - The Mississippi State Auditor's office uncovered a reimbursement made to Mayor Greg Davis from the City of Southaven for membership dues to Bully Bloc, a Political Action committee that supports Mississippi State University and political candidates who promote the university.
The $1,000 membership dues were paid on Feb. 28 from Davis' personal banking account and then reimbursed on March 7 with a check from the City of Southaven.
This reimbursement has been uncovered since the Auditor's Office demanded $170,000 from Davis for improperly reimbursed money from the city.
It is the first documented and specific example of the misuse of funds which the Sate Auditor's office is investigating that has publicly been disclosed.
This State Auditor's office hasn't demanded the additional $1,000 from Davis at this time.
"We're not going to update this one particular total every time we find something and there will be subsequent demands," said Lisa Shoemaker of the State Auditor's Office. "We were very specific in what was part of the original investigation. Nothing is off the table and our investigation hasn't stopped."
Since Bully Bloc is a Political Action Committee that donates to political campaigns, it is not allowable for a governmental entity to use tax-payer dollars to support the PAC.
"It's completely political and taxpayer dollars can't be used to make political contributions," said Shoemaker. "More specifically, the Mississippi Constitution prohibits donations by government unless there is a specified law allowing it and political contributions are in no way allowed."
Davis said the city pays for his membership dues to many organizations and he didn't know it wasn't allowable.
"I didn't know that there would be anything wrong with (this fee)," Davis said. "Whatever the State Auditor says may be improper we will address because we intend on following the law."
Davis said Bully Bloc hasn't made a donation to his campaign.
The ongoing State Auditor's investigation is a civil matter but anything uncovered can be used if a criminal suit is filed.
(And yes, I'm kidding. It doesn't look like Bully Bloc did anything wrong in any way.)
Auditor: Southaven wrong for paying PAC
By JB Clark
News Reporter
Published: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 4:19 PM CST
SOUTHAVEN - The Mississippi State Auditor's office uncovered a reimbursement made to Mayor Greg Davis from the City of Southaven for membership dues to Bully Bloc, a Political Action committee that supports Mississippi State University and political candidates who promote the university.
The $1,000 membership dues were paid on Feb. 28 from Davis' personal banking account and then reimbursed on March 7 with a check from the City of Southaven.
This reimbursement has been uncovered since the Auditor's Office demanded $170,000 from Davis for improperly reimbursed money from the city.
It is the first documented and specific example of the misuse of funds which the Sate Auditor's office is investigating that has publicly been disclosed.
This State Auditor's office hasn't demanded the additional $1,000 from Davis at this time.
"We're not going to update this one particular total every time we find something and there will be subsequent demands," said Lisa Shoemaker of the State Auditor's Office. "We were very specific in what was part of the original investigation. Nothing is off the table and our investigation hasn't stopped."
Since Bully Bloc is a Political Action Committee that donates to political campaigns, it is not allowable for a governmental entity to use tax-payer dollars to support the PAC.
"It's completely political and taxpayer dollars can't be used to make political contributions," said Shoemaker. "More specifically, the Mississippi Constitution prohibits donations by government unless there is a specified law allowing it and political contributions are in no way allowed."
Davis said the city pays for his membership dues to many organizations and he didn't know it wasn't allowable.
"I didn't know that there would be anything wrong with (this fee)," Davis said. "Whatever the State Auditor says may be improper we will address because we intend on following the law."
Davis said Bully Bloc hasn't made a donation to his campaign.
The ongoing State Auditor's investigation is a civil matter but anything uncovered can be used if a criminal suit is filed.
