State Supreme Court Rules AG Lynn Fitch, Not Auditor Shad White, Has Power to Sue over Misspent Welfare Money
The unanimous ruling says state law gives the attorney general exclusive power to pursue recovery of misspent welfare money, blocking the auditor’s separate claims.
- On Thursday, the Mississippi Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Attorney General Lynn Fitch, not State Auditor Shad White, holds the sole legal authority to prosecute lawsuits to recover misspent state welfare funds.
- The conflict stemmed from a dispute over recovering interest on misspent welfare funds from former NFL quarterback Brett Favre; Fitch excluded this interest from her civil lawsuit, prompting White to initiate separate legal action.
- Justices wrote that state law defines a "common-sense separation of duties," where auditors perform accounting and investigations while the Attorney General serves as the state's chief legal officer with sole litigation authority.
- White stated he assumes Fitch will now "aggressively fight" to recover all welfare money, including the interest he previously sought, noting that taxpayers "deserve nothing less" following the court's final decision.
- Ongoing civil litigation regarding the massive welfare scandal, which saw $77 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds diverted, remains affected by the ruling as the two officials continue to clash.
15 Articles
15 Articles
AG Fitch wins appeal in case vs. Auditor White - Daily Leader
The attorney general has sole authority to sue to recovery misspent taxpayer monies, according to a June 11 decision from the Mississippi Supreme Court. The court issued the decision in the appeal of case 2024-CA-01389-SCT. Attorney General Lynn Fitch filed a declaratory action in the Hinds County Chancery Court against State Auditor Shad White and his office asking for determination on whether the AG has sole authority to manage litigation and …
Mississippi State Auditor Can’t Sue Favre or Others Over Welfare Funds, High Court Rules
Mississippi’s state auditor does not have the authority to sue to recover misspent welfare funds from Brett Favre or other defendants, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled. The court said only the attorney general can do so, but State Auditor Shad White accuses her of failing that duty. The post State Auditor Can’t Sue Favre or Others to Claw Back Welfare Funds, Mississippi Supreme Court Rules appeared first on Mississippi Free Press.
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