Breaking: IHL Commissioner not found guilty of misconduct
Watson found responsible for authorizing the use of state funds and equipment to landscape IHL Commissioner's home
David Breland
Institutions of Higher Learning Commissioner Tom Meredith was not found to be liable for any wrongdoing and attempted on multiple occasions to pay for the work done to his home according to State Auditor Stacey Pickering.
"I am pleased that this incident has concluded and that I have been exonerated by the State Auditor's Office," Meredith said in a press release.
Interim MSU President Vance Watson has been found responsible for the unauthorized use of state funds in the landscaping of Meredith's home in Jackson. Pickering issued a demand to Watson of $12,333 for landscaping work done in March 2007 at Meredith's home, interest on the worth of the work done and investigative costs of the State Auditor's office. Pickering announced the findings in a press conference today after the IHL's regularly scheduled monthly board meeting at the University of Southern Mississippi.
"Dr. Watson, then vice president of agriculture and veterinary science and director of the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station, was the official responsible for this project and must reimburse Mississippi State University for the cost of the project," Pickering said.
Watson was officially served with the demand on Wednesday and the amount demanded has been paid in full according to Pickering. The Office of the State Auditor will now turn the case over to District Attorney Forest Allgood for review by a grand jury.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
not stupid
posted 10/16/08 @ 4:00 PM CST
uh, i dont think anyone stopped him from writing a check, placing it in an envelope, and mailing it. im sure he "tried" really hard. are you really going to believe this? so he just woke up with 13 trees in his yard. (Continued…)
seth
posted 10/16/08 @ 5:07 PM CST
Meredith better face sanctions for accepting this "bribe". Also, state people need to organize to eliminate the IHL board.
The Good 'ole Boy Network
posted 10/16/08 @ 8:07 PM CST
Please fire both of them!
CW
posted 10/17/08 @ 6:42 AM CST
When did a head hunting agency (all the IHL is) ever make the finial decision on who should be hired for a job. It didnt work like that when I was looking for a job! Lets let the instution that the president will be working for interview the candidates. (Continued…)
Mandy Little
posted 10/17/08 @ 3:59 PM CST
They should both step down. The fact that he "offered" to pay is ridiculous. Did he think it was a "gift" since no bill was sent? --- just as questionable, as a "gift" in his position (that could be interpreted as an exchange of favors)is horrible. (Continued…)
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