Coast supervisor accused of embezzling to furnish makeshift apartment at youth ball field

A Harrison County supervisor is accused of embezzling thousands of dollars to transform a youth baseball field press box into a makeshift apartment, according to a company that is canceling his liability bond.

District 4 Supervisor Kent Jones has not been charged with a crime but is losing the $100,000 bond he needs to hold office over a state auditor’s investigation that his attorney says “doesn’t amount to a hill of beans.”

Jones’ bond company was copied on a demand letter Mississippi State Auditor Shad White sent Jones on May 18. White’s letter accuses Jones of “fraudulently” using county funds and property. White issued a civil demand for repayment, which means Jones is not facing criminal charges.

White’s office said the money must be repaid within 30 days or the civil case will be turned over to the state Attorney General’s Office for collection through a civil lawsuit.

Jones allegedly used $20,705.03 in county money to create the living space at Amos Crouch Ball Field at 3410 Jackson Street. Jones did not respond to a telephone call Thursday from the Sun Herald, but in a Facebook post denied any wrongdoing after the Sun Herald published this story.

Gulfport attorney Warren Conway, who represents Jones, said the Auditor’s Office is demanding that Jones repay money for a television set, carpet and other items purchased for the ball field press box, which sits on the second floor of a building with a concession stand and bathroom downstairs.

The auditor’s office has demanded Jones repay a total of $37,095.28. The total includes $3,989.63 in interest and $12,400.63 in investigative costs.

“While this company’s investigation is continuing, to date, notice letters sent to Mr. Jones and his attorney have elicited no response from either of them,” the bonding company’s June 28 email says. The bonding company is listed as Fidelity and Deposit Co. of Maryland, trading as Zurich Surety.

Kent Jones disputes allegations

Conway was out of the country when the Sun Herald reached him by telephone Friday morning and said he did not have details about the auditor’s demand for repayment.

“We do not agree that he owes that money,” Conway said. “I just think it’s wild that it’s gotten to this. Everybody’s made a lot of assumptions, but it doesn’t amount to a hill of beans from what I see.”

But a Harrison County source familiar with the auditor’s investigation said Jones refurbished the press box for personal use. “He bought blinds, painted it, bought furniture and put a TV with cable in it,” said the source, who requested anonymity for fear of repercussions. The source said the Auditor’s Office “raided” the building about a year ago.

The ball field and building is located in District 4, which Jones represents, in the North Gulfport Community Park.

WXXV-TV reported in August 2022 that the auditor’s office was investigating Jones for personal use of the building, with Gulfport police confirming officers were asked to be on standby for auditor’s investigators at the ball field.

Supervisors need bonds to protect taxpayers

County Administrator Pam Ulrich said the county’s insurance company, Cadence Insurance, is shopping for a new bond for Jones.

Under state law, Jones’ position will be considered vacant unless he secures a new bond. Public officials are required to have bonds to protect taxpayers from liability if money is misspent, whether intentionally or not.

Each of the supervisors has a bond that covers up to $100,000 in damages. The bonds went into effect in January 2020, when the supervisors’ terms began, and expire when they end on Jan. 5, 2024.

However, Zurich Surety notified the Board of Supervisors in a letter dated June 19 that Jones’ bond would be canceled “in its entirety” 30 days after the county received the letter, or in late July. The letter indicates Jones has had a bond with the company since January 2016, when he first took office.

In his Facebook post, Jones did not mention his bond being canceled but did acknowledge the auditor’s investigation:

“I want to be the 1st one to tell my narrative and my truth, but I understand that a civil process must be completed and I intend to continue to fully cooperate,” he wrote. “I do, however, want to make it clear that nothing has been stolen… I will not allow the narrative of me intentionally stealing or misusing funds to be one that is attached to my name.”

Jones, a former Biloxi police officer, had 87 comments on his post about two hours after it was published. Those commenting mentioned what a good job he has done for his district, told him to stay strong and offered up prayer emojis.

Staff Writer Margaret Baker contributed to this report.