Video: Alcorn County Residents React to Latest Public Corruption Arrest

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CORINTH, Miss. (WCBI) -For the second time in six months, a high profile elected official in Alcorn County is the target of an investigation by the State Auditor’s Office. This time, it’s the Sheriff, and as WCBI’s Allie Martin reports, those who live in the county say the allegations are tarnishing the name of a community that has a lot going for it.

All his life, Jimmie Spears has lived in Alcorn County and says the latest arrest of a prominent official is sad, but no surprise.

“It’s a certain part of the corruption being caught, and more so than ever, it’s being pursued.”

The arrest of Sheriff Charles Rinehart, along with Cars for Less owners Terry Null and Pamela Denise Null came after a 10 count Grand Jury indictment for fraud and conspiracy.

Investigators claim the Sheriff’s department purchased six cars from Cars for Less over the past three years. The indictments allege fraudulent quotes were used to ensure Cars for Less would have the lowest price.

Also, the investigation found the six cars were salvaged vehicles at the time of purchase and were rebuilt with potentially stolen parts before being sold to the county.

“We never know what they’re looking at or what they’re looking for.”

Lowell Hinton is president of the Board of Supervisors and says state investigators have made regular visits to supervisors’ headquarters in the past year.

In December, District 2 Supervisor Jimmy Dal Nelms was charged with embezzlement, as part of a corruption scheme involving three vendors.

Hinton says the latest case involving the sheriff puts the county in a bad light, but he says there are a lot of positive things happening in the area.

“We’ve got a lot of good things going and we are going to have a lot of good things going. Unfortunately things like this does happen but that’s part of the life we live today, it seems like.”

Hinton says investigators with the auditor’s office questioned him about various county policies and purchasing procedures. Also, he is not sure what action , if any, supervisors can, or will take, against the sheriff. In Corinth, I’m Allie Martin WCBI News.

Sheriff Rinehart is out of jail on a $25,000.00 bond. He is not running for re election this August.