Video: Multiple Plea Deals Accepted In Alcorn Co. Corruption Case

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CORINTH, Miss. (WCBI) — Multiple plea agreements have been reached in an Alcorn County public corruption case.

The plea deals mean prison time for a former supervisor and it all came with a stern warning from the state auditor.

From the start of this investigation,  State Auditor Stacey Pickering said former District Two Supervisor Dal Nelms was a key player in a massive scheme to defraud taxpayers of Alcorn County.

“A culture of corruption if you will,” Pickering said.

Nelms, who is in jail on unrelated charges,  faced 156 criminal counts, but as part of a plea agreement, he pled guilty to five felonies.  Investigators say Nelms created a scheme using his position as county supervisor to buy equipment from a vendor.  He would get kickbacks from the vendor , who sold the goods to the county at an inflated price.

Before sentencing Nelms to 12 years in prison, and ordering him to pay more than $310,000  in fines and restitution, Circuit Judge Paul Funderburk allowed the former supervisor to address the court.

“I’ve shamed myself, I’ve shamed my family and I’m sorry for it,” Nelms said, from a podium.

Nelms is represented by Attorney Ronald Michael.  He says Nelms made serious mistakes.

“I think we can say, any of us standing here, you, me, are subject to letting ourselves down, doing things we don’t think is within our character and unfortunately I think that’s what happened to Mr Nelms,” Micheal said.

Also in court, Jimmy Ray Mitchell, a former county vendor, who earlier this summer pleaded guilty to six counts of fraud.    Under his agreement, Mitchell pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud. Mitchell will serve one year of house arrest and four years probation.  He has already surrendered $95,000.

Authorities say public officials will be held accountable for their actions.

“That trust was betrayed and there has to be a consequence of that, this sentencing sends a very clear message, public corruption will not be tolerated,” Pickering said.

Jimmy Dal Nelms began his illegal activities right after he took office, state auditor Pickering says that is evidence corruption has been ongoing in this county for some time.  Although more are expected to plead guilty in this case, he says the investigation is ongoing and active.

Former purchasing Clerk, William Paul Rhodes pled guilty to three felony counts and was sentenced to serve 5 years in prison.

Vendor Danny Roy Peters pled guilty to false representation and received a five year term and 5 thousand dollars in fines..

Another defendant Joseph Lin McNair Jr is expected to plead guilty later this week.