The former executive director of Mississippi’s welfare agency pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy to defraud the state of millions in federal funds meant to help needy families, prosecutors said. John Davis, 54, a former Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) official, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of theft from programs that receive federal funds. Shortly thereafter, in state court, he pleaded guilty to five counts of conspiracy and 13 counts of defrauding the government. John Davis, former director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, followed by his attorney Merrida Coxwell, right, leaves the Thad Cochran United States Courthouse in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis/AP Newsroom) According to court documents, Davis and his unnamed associates fraudulently obtained and used federal funds from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) for their own personal gain. The documents describe two of the alleged conspirators as executive directors of organizations, one as the owner of two companies and only one as a resident of Hinds County, Mississippi. DOJ CHARGES 47 PEOPLE IN $250M COVID FRAUD SCHEME EXPLOITING FEDERALLY FUNDED CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM The documents also state that Davis directed MDHS to provide federal funds to two nonprofits and then directed two nonprofits to fraudulently award contracts to various entities and individuals for social services that were never provided. Davis also caused these nonprofits to disburse full or near-full payments according to the false contacts—regardless of whether the project was completed. John Davis, former director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, confers with defense attorneys Merrida Coxwell, right, and Charles Mullins, left, in Jackson, Miss., on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis /AP Newsroom) The conspiracy charges say one agency paid nearly $498,000 to one of the companies in June 2018. Days later, that company signed a $1.1 million contract with the other company “allegedly in exchange for creating a program to serving the city’s youth”. The charges also say the same agency paid $700,000 that summer to the company with the youth program contract. The theft charges say Davis misused more than $10,000 in federal grants. The federal charges were issued on September 15, but remained sealed until Wednesday. Davis waived the indictment and agreed to plead guilty. Davis faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison on the conspiracy count and 10 years in prison on the theft related to programs receiving federal funds. His sentencing is scheduled for early February next year. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The scandal has led to criminal charges against many people, including professional wrestler Ted DiBiase, known as “the Million Dollar Man”. The scandal has also raised questions about retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre and former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, although neither has been charged in the welfare failure case. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
