Published: August 13, 2009 08:04 am      

5 MDOT employees charged with embezzlement

JACKSON — Five Mississippi Department of Transportation employees were arrested Tuesday on charges of embezzlement, fraudulently obtaining public funds, making false entries in public records and conspiracy, the state auditor says.

The five, who worked in a mechanic’s shop at the MDOT office in Yazoo City, were indicted by a grand jury earlier this month, State Auditor Stacey Pickering said in a news release. The indictment followed an investigation by Pickering’s office that began in 2007.

Charged were James Kevin Ellis, 45, of Benton; Gene Edward Taylor, 35, of Yazoo City; Clarence Shelton, 56, of Benton; Ivory Luckett, 51, of Satartia; and James D. Malone, 53, of Yazoo City.

A spokeswoman at the auditor’s office didn’t know if any of those charged had hired attorneys.

The auditor’s office is also seeking the recovery of money — ranging from about $4,500 to under $200 — from each of the five men.

“The arrest of these five individuals this morning marks a bust in a well-organized corruption ring in Mississippi,” Pickering said.

“These individuals had developed a system and were all benefiting at the taxpayers’ expense. I do expect more arrests to follow in this case and appreciate the cooperation of management at MDOT as we worked this case and ended this illegal activity.”

Ellis, who has worked for MDOT since April 1999, is accused of taking and selling equipment owned by MDOT and negotiating and approving illegitimate invoices paid by MDOT for personal purchases. The state auditor’s office is seeking $4,542 in recovery from Ellis.

Shelton, an MDOT employee since October 1989, is charged with embezzling funds from MDOT by approving subordinate employees to work on personal projects while on duty and by acquiring parts for personal vehicles and knowingly having them billed to MDOT, then approving payment for the invoices. Pickering’s office is seeking $4,217 from Shelton.

Taylor, an MDOT employee since January 2007, benefited from MDOT’s payment for a part to be used on his personal vehicle, Pickering said. Pickering is asking Taylor to return $1,069.

Luckett, an MDOT employee since May 2000, is accused of working on personal property and charging MDOT for a part placed on the personal vehicle. Pickering is seeking $244 from Luckett.

Malone allegedly benefited from a part that was ordered for his personal vehicle and installed by an MDOT employee. Pickering is seeking the recovery of $161 from Malone.

“MDOT has many district offices and employees, and I hope this investigation sends a vital message to not only MDOT employees but all public employees that corruption will not be tolerated,” Butch Brown, MDOT’s executive director said.