Post by pavel on Mar 7, 2016 13:00:08 GMT -6
Statewide officials bought vehicles, paid taxes and made payments to a farm supply store and personal injury firm using campaign funds, according to reports filed with the secretary of state’s office during the last four years.
While State Auditor Stacey Pickering has received much attention for using campaign funds to purchase a BMW 325i and an RV his family takes to Disney World, he’s not the only state official to buy a vehicle with donations. Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Cindy Hyde-Smith in 2014 bought a $24,255 vehicle from Roundtree Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Jackson.
Mississippi is one of six states that doesn’t ban or restrict personal use of campaign donations, although tax and other officials have said such practice could have legal, taxation and other implications and creates what one expert called "a recipe for ethical disaster."
Like their legislative counterparts, some statewide politicians’ spending doesn’t appear to be connected to their campaigns.
Read more: www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/03/05/public-officeprivate-gain-statewide-officeholders/81205772/
While State Auditor Stacey Pickering has received much attention for using campaign funds to purchase a BMW 325i and an RV his family takes to Disney World, he’s not the only state official to buy a vehicle with donations. Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Cindy Hyde-Smith in 2014 bought a $24,255 vehicle from Roundtree Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Jackson.
Mississippi is one of six states that doesn’t ban or restrict personal use of campaign donations, although tax and other officials have said such practice could have legal, taxation and other implications and creates what one expert called "a recipe for ethical disaster."
Like their legislative counterparts, some statewide politicians’ spending doesn’t appear to be connected to their campaigns.
Read more: www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/03/05/public-officeprivate-gain-statewide-officeholders/81205772/