PEARL RIVER COUNTY —
A charity organization that is currently housed in Pearl River County has been issued cease and desist orders from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office.
According to a press release from Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann’s office, Waveland Citizen’s Fund has been issued cease and desist orders due to violations of the Mississippi Charitable Solicitations Act
The release states the organization has provided false or misleading statements on documents filed in the Secretary of State’s Office by listing Kathleen Johnson as a volunteer of the organization, even though she is an employee of the charity. In so doing, the release alleges Johnson spent an unknown amount of the charity’s money on her own living expenses, which is a violation of state law.
Johnson, listed as a convicted felon in the release, had access and control over funds kept by the organization, also a violation of state law. The release also states the organization failed to keep records, receipts and or documentation concerning the organization’s income and expenses.
If the allegations turn out to be accurate, then the Secretary of State’s Office might issue a permanent cease and desist order to the organization, revoke the organization’s registration and impose a monetary penalty of up to $25,000 for each offense.
Waveland Citizens Fund has 30 days to ask for an administrative meeting with the Secretary of State’s Office, or the organization can file an appeal of the state’s decision.
The Sea Coast Echo reports that Johnson was convicted in 1992 of charges of bank fraud, fraudulent use of Social Security numbers and student loan fraud in Wyoming.
Johnson declined to make a comment on the record to the Picayune Item concerning the allegations and instead referred any questions to the attorney handling the case, Albert Gardner of Haas and Haas Attorneys at Law. Gardner did not return a phone call made to his office about the allegations as of Wednesday afternoon.
Local News
Charity organization ordered to cease and desist
- Local News
-
-
PAINTING HYDRANTS
Firefighters with Picayune Fire Department conduct regular maintenance on the city’s many fire hydrants, such as giving them a fresh coat of paint.
-
Two charged with making meth around kids
Two parents were arrested for allegedly making and possessing methamphetamine, while their children were in the home.
-
Unemployment rate down slightly
Pearl River County’s unemployment rate dropped slightly between March and April of this year.
-
PMHS GRADUATION
Picayune Memorial High School held its graduation ceremony Thursday night where the school’s valedictorian Jared Christopher Bates, left, and salutatorian Bryce Austin Warden gave their speeches.
-
POPLARVILLE GRADUATION
Poplarville High School held its graduation ceremony Thursday night where the school’s valedictorian Rebecca Starke, left, and salutatorian Meagan Whitworth gave their speeches to the graduating class, parents and friends.
-
Local man paralyzed by juvenile shooting
Medical personnel were teaching a local man how to swallow again on Saturday after his spinal cord was severed by a .22 caliber bullet, fired by one of three juveniles, on Thursday.
-
Potential bridge replacement fund shortage draws discussion
Despite a lengthy agenda for Pearl River County supervisors Wednesday the board handled many of the items with a straight up and down 5-0 vote.
-
Glade Woods dies
Funeral services for Earl Glade Woods , 75 of Picayune, are Monday at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Picayune. Woods passed away on Friday.
-
MHP on patrol for holiday
Even though there has been a remarkable reduction in the number of fatalities in Mississippi over the past seven years, last year’s Memorial Day Weekend was particularly deadly.
-
POLICE MEMORIAL
City employees were out at the Picayune Police Department memorial Thursday morning doing some upgrades to it.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
