JACKSON – State Auditor Stacy Pickering says an alleged deception by a former, longtime county administrator could only have been done by someone who “knew the system.”
During a news conference Wednesday in Jackson, Pickering issued a demand for $292,772 from Michael David Chandler, who worked more than 20 years as Panola County administrator.
Pickering said an investigation revealed that Chandler had received $84,296 in overtime payments he wasn”t eligible for as county administrator. Then, Chandler retired in June 2007 and returned to work the next day in the same position as a contractor, earning his same salary of about $80,000. During the time Chandler worked as a contractor, he was drawing benefits from the Public Employees Retirement System.
Under state law, public employees must wait at least 45 days after retiring before returning to a government job and they must earn no more than 50 percent of the salary they were paid before retirement, Pickering said.
“This was done by an individual who knew the system very well,” Pickering said. “As a county administrator with a financial background he was able to take advantage of loopholes throughout the system.”
Hiram Eastland III, a Greenwood attorney who represents Chandler, said his client is working with the state auditor”s office to resolve the situation.
“At this point, my client just recently received notice of these claims,” Eastland said Wednesday.
According to Pickering, Chandler drew retirement benefits from July 2007 through September 2008. The demand includes retirement overpayments of $120,865.
The demand also includes: $63,564 in interest; $18,423 in investigative costs and $5,622 in retirement contributions and interest due to PERS.
When asked whether criminal charges would be pursued, Pickering said “further steps” would be taken as part of the investigation.
Eastland said in his talks with Pickering”s office there”s been no mention of criminal charges.
Pickering said his office launched an investigation after receiving a tip.
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