Alcorn Co. sheriff arrested on fraud, conspiracy charges
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ALCORN COUNTY, Miss. — The sheriff of Alcorn County and two business owners have been arrested as a result of an investigation by the state auditor. Sheriff Charles Rinehart along with Teddy Null and Pamela Null, owners of Cars for Less, are accused of scheming to ensure the car dealer got the sheriff’s department’s business, according to a release from the state auditor’s office. The three face a 10-count indictment each on fraud and conspiracy charges, according to the release. Authorities say the Nulls created fraudulent quotes to ensure Cars for Less had the lowest quote while competing for the sheriff’s department’s business. The car dealer also is accused of selling the sheriff’s department six salvaged vehicles that may have been rebuilt with stolen parts, according to the release. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation also participated in the investigation and is working to determine whether stolen parts were used in the vehicles sold to the sheriff’s department. “Based on our investigation, Sheriff Rinehart used his position to manipulate the system,” State Auditor Stacey Pickering states in the release. Rinehart was first elected in 2008 and is not seeking re-election this year, the release states.
