Jackson Free Press

Check that -- Pardongate isn't over yet. CNN is now reporting that in his last days in office, Gov. Haley Barbour's staff helped two mansion inmate workers secure driver's licenses and that those prisoners, David Gatlin and Charles Hooker, had new cars waiting for them when Barbour set the men free with his pardon pen.

According to the CNN report, Barbour's head of security drove the men from the governor's mansion to a license office although not at Barbour's direction. CNN also obtained investigators' reports from Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood's office that show former First Lady Marsha Barbour "called a salesman at a local car dealership" about "the purchase of vehicles for Hooker and Gatlin."

"The salesman allegedly told investigators that the inmates had been brought to the dealership on January 6, 2012 in a black Ford Crown Victoria to complete paperwork for the sale," CNN reports.

State officials who spoke to CNN said it didn't appear that any laws were broken. This story is developing and we'll update readers as we find out more.

Read the JFP's coverage of Barbour and Pardongate here: http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/barbour/

Previous Comments

ID

167469

Comment

Isn't it STRANGE that CNN broke this story and not some of our local TV stations? Ain't nothing WRONG, but, something ain't RIGHT.

Author

justjess

Date

2012-03-21T14:33:49-06:00

ID

167475

Comment

Jess, Remember how they danced around who Fordice was going to visit when he had his accident? Its no wonder they don't tell the truth. On my side, my ass.

Author

Pilgrim

Date

2012-03-21T16:23:15-06:00

ID

167477

Comment

Yes, Pilgrim, I do remember the Fordice saga and the attempt to keep it quiet. No such luck - The "S" eventually hit the fan.

Author

justjess

Date

2012-03-21T21:19:17-06:00