Jackson's embezzlement investigation done, sent to AG's, auditor's offices for 'deeper dive'

The City of Jackson's investigation into the potential embezzlement of funds has been handed over to the Mississippi Attorney General's Office and the Office of the State Auditor, according to the city's communications director Melissa Payne.

In June, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba announced the discovery of "what we believe to be the misappropriation of funds." The city's director of human resources, Toya Martin, found "irregularities," leading to one city employee being fired. The funds purportedly stolen were to pay for health insurance premiums for retired employees, the mayor said.

"There are multiple forms of fraud with respect to this employee that we believe we have uncovered," Lumumba said during the announcement. "We do not believe, from what we have noticed to date, anything that comes out of the city's general fund or budget, but the exploitation of their position to take advantage of either companies that work in a third-party relationship with the City of Jackson or taking advantage of those that are insured directly, individually."

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An internal investigation was launched, which had been underway for "approximately a month or so," at the time Lumumba made the announcement. Last week, Payne told the Clarion Ledger the city's investigation was finished and the findings were sent to the Auditor's office, led by Shad White, and the AGO, led by Lynn Fitch, for a "deeper dive."

"We turned everything over to them," Payne said. "Once they're done, I assume they'll turn it over to JPD to make an arrest."

But residents will have to wait some time for the findings of those investigations, as Payne said it could take "six months or more."

What has yet to be announced is who perpetrated the embezzlement and how much money was stolen. Lumumba did not reveal either, but said the funds stolen are "certainly a felony amount."

"We don’t comment on any ongoing or potential ongoing investigation, but we are very much aware of the matter," said Jacob Walters, the communications director for the state auditor's office.

Mary Asa Lee, the AG's communications director, also said "the Attorney General’s Office does not comment on active investigations."