Draft:List of Mississippi political scandals

This is a list of political scandals which occurred in the U.S. State of Mississippi. It is organized in reverse chronological order from most recent to oldest.

Politician is defined as "a person who is professionally involved in politics", and includes not only those elected to office, their staffs and appointees, but also those who routinely work in politics such as pollsters. Major officials of political parties and their staffs, as well as those elected by their party to be candidates are also included. Local politicians, mayors, sheriffs, and county officials should not be included.

Scandal is defined as "loss of, or damage to, reputation caused by actual or apparent violation of morality or propriety". Breaking the law is always considered a scandal. The finding of a public court is the sole method used to determine a violation of law, but it is not the sole method of determining a scandal.

Please note that all people are considered innocent until proven guilty. Allegations of misconduct do not imply guilt nor do admissions of guilt in the absence of a conviction. Investigations that end without a determination do not imply innocence.

Breaches of ethics, unproven crimes or cover-ups may or may not result in inclusion depending on the amount of publicity generated, and the seriousness of the crime, if any. Notoriety and notability are a major determinant of a scandal. Politicians who resign, quit, flee, or commit suicide while being investigated or threatened with investigation may also be included.

Different scandals on different dates may result in multiple listings.

The list does not include crimes that occur outside the politician's tenure (such as before or after his term in office) unless they specifically stem from acts made while in office, such as bribery, and discovered later.

Given the political nature of legislatures where the leading party has determining power, politicians who are Rebuked, Denounced, Censured, Admonished, Condemned, Suspended, Reprimanded, Found in Contempt, Found to have Acted Improperly, or of using Poor Judgment are not included unless the scandal is exceptional or leads to further action such as expulsion, conviction or resignation.

Executive pardons may or may not be mentioned, but do not erase the scandal. The verdict and legal proceedings are not affected by pardons, but may affect the sentence.

State of Mississippi

 * John Davis (R) Director of the Department of Human Resources (DHS) and five others were indicted for a multi-million dollar embezzlement scheme which stole 98 million dollars from the State Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. He pled guilty to conspiracy and fraud and was sentenced to 90 years in prison. (2020)


 * John Moore (Mississippi politician) (R) State Representative from Brandon in the 60th District, was accused of sexual harassment by multiple women. An investigation was being discussed when he resigned. (2017)


 * Chris Massey (politician) (R) State Senator from Nesbit in the 1st District, was arrested for felony aggravated assault with a shovel after an argument with two maintenance workers. He was found guilty of a lesser charge and sentenced to six months probation. (2016)


 * Christopher B. Epps (D) Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, was investigated in an FBI corruption probe called Operation Mississippi Hustle and lucrative government prison contracts to for-profit corporations. He pled guilty to accepting 1 million in bribes and kickbacks in exchange and was sentenced to almost twenty years. (2014)


 * Bobby DeLaughter Judge of the Mississippi Supreme Court, was accused of accepting bribes and other misconduct. He pled guilty to one count of obstruction-of-justice and was sentenced to eighteen months in prison. (2008)


 * Thomas Norman Brooks (D) State Senator and president pro tempore from District 17, was found guilty of attempting to extort $50,000 from the Mississippi Horse Racing Association for his influence in passing new legislation. He resigned, was then found guilty and sentenced to nine years in prison. (1985)