The Jackson City Council voted Tuesday to investigate $1 million in missing COVID-19 funds.Ward 3 City Councilman Kenneth Stokes called for the investigation surrounding what he said was the termination of former constituent services manager Keyshia Sanders and allegations that the $1 million in COVID-19 funds are missing.”We need to find out what happened. If she didn’t have anything to do with the money missing, then let her come back,” Stokes said.Stokes said if they don’t get to the bottom of what happened to the money, the council could be held liable. Before a unanimous vote approving Stokes’ resolution, council members were surprised to learn from the City Attorney’s Office that more than a year ago, they passed a similar order to investigate the matter. The results of the $10,000 internal investigation conducted by Phelps Dunbar Law Firm were inconclusive.”What we’re going to do first is get the paperwork from Phelps Dunbar. We should have what I will call a paper trail as to the people we need to talk to,” Stokes said. City leaders previously said the Jackson Police Department and Hinds County District Attorney’s Office were investigating the missing money.”I mean, there certainly is reason, I think, to investigate it again and just find out where we are and what’s going on,” said Ward 7 Councilwoman Virgi Lindsay.The mayor’s office told the council the state auditor’s office is investigating.
The Jackson City Council voted Tuesday to investigate $1 million in missing COVID-19 funds.
Ward 3 City Councilman Kenneth Stokes called for the investigation surrounding what he said was the termination of former constituent services manager Keyshia Sanders and allegations that the $1 million in COVID-19 funds are missing.
“We need to find out what happened. If she didn’t have anything to do with the money missing, then let her come back,” Stokes said.
Stokes said if they don’t get to the bottom of what happened to the money, the council could be held liable.
Before a unanimous vote approving Stokes’ resolution, council members were surprised to learn from the City Attorney’s Office that more than a year ago, they passed a similar order to investigate the matter. The results of the $10,000 internal investigation conducted by Phelps Dunbar Law Firm were inconclusive.
“What we’re going to do first is get the paperwork from Phelps Dunbar. We should have what I will call a paper trail as to the people we need to talk to,” Stokes said.
City leaders previously said the Jackson Police Department and Hinds County District Attorney’s Office were investigating the missing money.
“I mean, there certainly is reason, I think, to investigate it again and just find out where we are and what’s going on,” said Ward 7 Councilwoman Virgi Lindsay.
The mayor’s office told the council the state auditor’s office is investigating.
