Thompson: Political motivation is behind Hattiesburg prosecutions
In his letter, Thompson says that “high-profile” supporters of Dupree are being punished through actions by the FBI, District Attorney’s office, U.S. Attorney’s office in Jackson and the Mississippi state auditor.
Kelley Ryan, an auditor’s spokesperson, and Brett Carr with the FBI declined to comment. Other agencies named in Thompson’s letter have not yet responded to Mississippi Today’s inquiries.
Patricia Burchell, the district attorney for Forrest and Perry counties, and state Auditor Stacey Pickering are Republicans. The FBI is a part of the Department of Justice, and U.S. Attorney Greg Davis of Jackson was appointed by President Obama.
Federal prosecutions are pending against the Rev. Kenneth Fairley, Dupree’s campaign manager, and Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Charles Bolton and his wife, Linda, also Dupree supporters.
Fairley is charged with fraud in a housing rehabilitation program, and the Boltons are charged with income tax evasion. Fairley is set for a Sept. 6 trial and the Boltons on Sept. 16, both before U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett.
Court documents show that the Bolton case is being handled by federal prosecutors from Louisiana’s Eastern District in New Orleans.
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Mississippi Today
8/25/16
Magnolia Tribune
