State Auditor Stacey Pickering announced today that a demand has been issued against Walnut Grove mayor Grady Sims in the amount of $31,530.29 for using city employees and city equipment to work on private prison facilities and allowing city equipment to be used on personal property. The investigation analyzed records from 2008 until 2010.
“The demand issued against Mayor Sims represents multiple instances where city employees were directed by the mayor to do work at a private prison facilities located in Walnut Grove,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “Taxpayers of Walnut Grove have been paying for equipment and labor to do work at these facilities that are for-profit, private prisons. In addition, town equipment and labor have been used on private property at taxpayer expense.”
In addition to the civil demand issued by the State Auditor, the Federal Grand Jury has indicted the mayor on federal charges unrelated to the State Auditor’s investigation, and Sims was arraigned today in United States District Court.
Magnolia Tribune
