Indicted former MS town alderman’s attorney says debt already paid

DESOTO COUNTY, Miss. — The attorney for a former Mississippi town alderman accused of improperly taking unemployment benefits says the money has already been paid back to the state.

“This was paid in July. How can the state auditor’s office not know that?” attorney Tony Farese said.

Charlie Roberts was indicted on charges of unemployment compensation fraud, DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton and state auditor Shad White announced in a press conference Wednesday.

Roberts received the benefits during the pandemic despite being employed as a Horn Lake town alderman, his attorney admits. When he was informed that he had been overpaid, his wages were garnished and Roberts sold his house.

After the home was sold earlier this year, Roberts paid the state $16,948 to settle the overpayment. The check cleared July 23, 2024, Farese said.

He said the total amount demanded by the state was more than $23,000.

Farese said that should’ve been the end of it — until Wednesday’s announcement.

Roberts had to pay a $7,500 bond for release from the DeSoto County jail.

“Im tired of political shenanigans by Mr. White’s office,” Farese said. “If Shad White and his office had been properly investigated, they would have seen that Mr. Roberts had already paid.”

D.A. Barton responded later: “We will defer questions to the Mississippi Department of Employment Services.”

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