Jackon City Councilman Marshand Crisler accused Jackson Mayor Frank Melton of lying on a WJTV interview last night. In the interview, Melton told WJTV that an FBI investigation into the city is connected to a Jackson Public School bond management contract that Crisler's brother, Johnny Crisler, won over Integrated Management Service last month.
This month, the FBI subpoenaed information from the City Attorney's office, as reported by the Jackson Free Press on June 20.
"I don't think it's appropriate to talk about any federal investigation," Melton told WJTV, before suggesting that the investigation involved Crisler.
"I am deeply, deeply concerned that one of the people involved in receiving the fees (from the bond) happens to be the brother of a city councilperson. I'm not saying—that may not be inappropriate—it just bothers me very much."
When asked to whom he was referring, Melton responded: "It's Marshand's brother."
"The money that they're getting off this bond could be going to the children, could be going to the schools, and not going into their pockets, and I feel very strongly about that," he added.
Council members claim Melton's chief of staff, Marcus Ward, attempted to extort a decision on the same bond contract in April. Council members told the JFP that Ward threatened to pull Jonathan Larkin's re-nomination to the board if he did not vote to award the contract to IMS, as opposed to a joint contract involving Johnny Crisler. Despite the alleged threats, Larkin voted in favor of the Crisler contract last month. Shortly afterwards, Melton issued a memorandum to council members, asking them to withdraw Larkin's name for re-nomination to the board.
Melton said that he had not been called to testify before a grand jury, and that even if he had been, he could not discuss those details.
However, he did publicly offer his "general" knowledge of the investigation: "I generally know about the investigation, and I'm just sharing with you—this is just one of the concerns I have as mayor," he said, referring to the school bond.
He then added: "Those are very private subpoenas, and they're not to be discussed in public, and I believe that someone violated and that, and eventually may have to pay the price for that."
When asked if the subpoena had anything to do with him, Melton replied: "We've been through that a few times before. There's some very powerful people in this community who want me out of this office, and you can start with the (A-1) Pallets Company."
Yesterday, a Hinds County chancery judge issued a temporary restraining order against Melton on behalf of the pallets company, which Melton has said he wants demolished.
In a press conference today, Crisler said that the mayor is attempting to deflect suspicion that the investigation has everything to do with Melton's own personal behavior.
"He is absolutely lying. There's no question about it," Crisler said. "It's an absolute fabrication. It's an egregious and malicious attempt to impugn not only the character of my brother, but more importantly, me. The statement was unfounded and absurd."
Crisler said he based his assessment upon the nature of the subpoenas filed with the city, which he said had nothing to do with either him or his brother. Crisler refused to detail the exact nature of the FBI inquiries. The FBI also refused to comment to the JFP about the inquiries.
"If you're going to go on the record and saying that then you'd better have your facts in order and there are none that exist suggesting me or my brother are being looked at, but I wouldn't have any confidence in what (Melton's) saying anyhow, especially considering the source," Crisler added.
Lies have perforated Melton's two-year career as mayor. Melton told former council president Ben Allen that he would bring up JPS Vice President Jonathan Larkin for re-appointment--one day after sending out a memo asking the council to withdraw Larkin's name.
Melton also lied under oath to a Lauderdale County Judge in a civil lawsuit stemming from his days as head of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.
More updates soon.
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