JACKSON, Miss. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. The agency has still not adopted a comprehensive approach to responding to and reporting suspected fraud; additionally, the agency did not take all the needed steps to verify suspected fraud was investigated timely and misappropriated monies were returned, the audit stated. Ricky Jones, who has served as president of 100 Black Men of Jackson since March, said his organization just learned about the investigation last week when DHS notified them they would not be receiving a welfare grant this year. In the nearly two years after agents first arrested Davis, Whites office has publicized continued findings related to welfare spending and Anderson has made media appearances to discuss changes at his agency as it attempts to restore public trust. It ends today.. Ex-Mississippi DHS head arrested in embezzlement scheme, auditor says Since then, the subgrantee process has changed and the state plan for TANF reflects those changes. Nancy New is a long-time political ally and financial supporter of Mississippis new Governor, Tate Reeves. John Davis has been indicted in the largest embezzlement and fraud scheme in state history. Help keep the momentum going by rejoining our member community today. MDHS is concerned about the authenticity of MCEC documents due to submission of numerous versions of the same request in a monitoring visit, Anderson wrote to the auditors office in March in response to the latest report. (WLBT) - It was one week ago that the news broke of whats been called the largest public embezzlement case in state history. Credit: MDHS Twitter A judge in the ongoing welfare embezzlement case is balancing the public's interest in learning how officials misspent tens of millions of federal dollars with a defendant's right to a fair trial. The auditor's office said that the illicit money flowed through the Mississippi Community Education Center, a non-profit run by Nancy New and her son Zach New. Agents also arrested DHS employee Latimer Smith; Dr. Nancy New, owner and director of the Mississippi Community Education Center and New Learning; Zach New, assistant executive director of MCEC; Anne McGrew, accountant for MCEC; and former pro wrestler Brett DiBiase in connection with the multimillion-dollar embezzlement scheme.Tap here for mugshots. Former MDHS Director John Davis pleads guilty to defraud conspiracy In welfare scandal, judge weighs public interest versus the right to a JACKSON, Miss. and I told him I was fine with it, you know that I was okay. Mr. DiBiase, who comes from a professional wrestling family, did not immediately respond to an email request for comment. The Mississippi Department of Human Services has hired a new law firm to recover money that was misspent as part of the state's welfare fraud case. We hear from a former employee who is just one of many who were fired by Davis. Everything was going well. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. The audit released less than a year later said that according to its budget, Victory Sports used the nearly $1.4 million welfare subgrant to pay for staff and coaches, a program design fee, equipment, an onsite nurse, marketing and other administration costs, and to purchase a $20,000 trailer and a $70,000 vehicle. Johnson says he never received anything other than glowing employee reviews. But their counsel argued that a broader order that prevented White and Anderson from discussing Davis tenure overall such as policies, procedures and events separate from the criminal charges would be too restrictive and prevent them from being transparent with the public about ongoing investigations and findings. Oxford University School executive director connected to DHS Thats to be open with how funds are distributed and who theyre going to.. And they did start an internal audit at the beginning of 2019. Davis attorney argues that when White and Anderson have discussed the case with the media, they have focused solely on Davis actions and not the several other employees who approved various purchases or the agency policies that he argues sanctioned Davis conduct. You do not have the right to treat taxpayer money as your own or to lie to the taxpayers about what youre doing with that money. MDHS officials say former director John Davis created an environment of fear and intimidation, John Davis is indicted in an embezzlement scheme involving millions of dollars, Beloved Mississippi school bus driver killed during crash with 18-wheeler, Eleven players with Mississippi ties selected in 2023 NFL Draft, Truck possibly connected to Hinds County jail escape found in Newton County, Paraplegic fisherman speaks to Beulah Baptist Church, Belhaven football puts a smile on the face of little girl, City of Byram awarded thousands of state dollars for infrastructure projects, 58-year-old man shoots brother after argument over a dog in Hazlehurst, Request a First Alert Weather School Visit, Advertising Non-Discrimination Certification. To learn more about our cartoon syndication services. Earlier news reports indicated that the initial inquiry into the MDHS scandal may have been kicked off by Governor Bryant himself.