Indictment: Downtown Jackson leader stole and misused money
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – The head of a downtown Jackson development group is charged with misusing money in an investigation that has also led to hindering prosecution charges against two high-ranking employees of state Auditor Stacey Pickering.
Ben Allen, executive director of Downtown Jackson Partners, was charged with stealing nearly $55,000 of the nonprofit group’s money and misusing another $190,000 in a 10-count Hinds County indictment unsealed Wednesday.
Allen, a former Jackson city councilman, was released on $50,000 bail. Downtown Jackson Partners denies Allen did anything wrong. A lawyer for Allen couldn’t immediately be reached.
Pickering in a Wednesday statement calls on Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith to dismiss charges against David Huggins and Karei McDonald. Indictments unsealed last week allege they hindered Hinds County’s investigation. Both are free on $1,500 bail.
