Coast supervisor’s bond threatened again over questionable purchases as election nears

Harrison County Supervisor Kent Jones is once again faced with losing the liability bond that allows him to hold office — with a contested Democratic primary for his seat only days away.

The company that issued his bond, Zurich Surety, first announced it would be canceled after Mississippi State Auditor Shad White formally accused Jones of “fraudulently” spending county money and demanded that it be repaid. Jones has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime.

The auditor’s investigation and May 18 demand prompted Zurich to notify the county in a June 19 letter that his $100,000 bond would be canceled. The company changed its mind, withdrawing the cancellation notice on July 13 without explanation.

The back-and-forth about the bond between the county and insurers has created an uproar on the Board of Supervisors.

And the latest development hit days before the August 8 primary. Jones faces Democratic challengers Chris Fisher, a Gulfport attorney and former assistant district attorney, and John Johnson, who has previously served on the county school board and as an interim supervisor. The winner will claim the seat because no independent or third-party candidates are running.

County shouldn’t defend Jones, supervisor says

Board attorney Tim Holleman told supervisors in a July 24 meeting that he believes Jones’ bond might have been reinstated because of questions Jones’ attorney raised about the auditor’s demand. The letter attorney Warren Conway of Gulfport sent the auditor’s office was copied to Zurich, Holleman said.

But Supervisor Marlin Ladner was incensed over separate correspondence: an email Holleman sent answering questions for insurers as they tried to find another bond for Jones after the initial cancellation notice.

Jones said during the meeting that the county has a responsibility to secure a bond for him.

In the email, Holleman addressed the auditor’s demand by saying all items bought at Jones’ request are still in the county’s possession and purchasing laws were followed to buy them.

But Ladner said the Board of Supervisors never approved Holleman’s correspondence and has taken no position on the auditor’s demand.

More on state auditor’s demand

The county spent money on items Jones requested for the press box above the Amos Crouch ball field in District 4, which he represents. The auditor’s office also claims at least some of the purchases were for Jones’ personal use and says he was living in the press box.

White demanded that Jones pay $37,095.28. The total includes $20,705.03 in purchases, plus interest and investigative costs. Jones hasn’t repaid the money.

Attorney Conway says Jones has done nothing wrong. He says the items purchased belong to the county and Jones was not living in the press box.

“He didn’t take a credit card and buy a TV at Best Buy,” Conway said. “He requested one and the county bought it.” A television set, carpet and blinds are still sitting in the press box, he said.

Securing bond for a public official

Holleman said he responded to an email from the insurers at the request of the county administrator because she was out of town and there was a deadline.

With a quorum of three supervisors present on July 24, board president Rebecca Powers and Ladner voted to inform insurers that the email Holleman sent was not the official position of the board. Jones voted against the motion.

Powers then sent an undated letter to insurers saying that Holleman’s email was not the board’s official position. She also said the purchase orders used to buy items for the ball field were “fraudulent.” She wrote that she can’t answer Insurers’ questions about how the Board of Supervisors will avoid future purchasing pitfalls.

Ladner indicated White’s office has not given supervisors any information about the demand against Jones, including what county employee or employees signed purchase orders for the press box items.

Zurich sent a second notice Aug. 1 that Jones’ bond would be canceled in 30 days.

Attorney Conway said Jones has other options for securing a bond. One of the options would be putting up full collateral on the bond.

But a new bond could be difficult to secure, said Jaime McGrath, president of Surety Bond Connection in Tupelo. McGrath, who was speaking generally and is not familiar with Jones’ case, has been securing bonds for public officials for more than two decades.

With an outstanding demand for repayment from the state, she said, “There’s not going to be a surety company that wants to touch that.”