State investigation no longer threatens to cost MS Coast supervisor his job
Harrison County Supervisor Kent Jones will be able to keep the liability bond he needs to serve in office, ending the threat that District 4 will lose its elected representative.
Zurich Surety notified the county by letter on Thursday that it has canceled termination of Jones’ bond, which was set to take effect in late July. The letter did not offer an explanation. Instead, it said the $100,000 bond would remain in effect.
Each of the five supervisors has a bond to protect taxpayers from liability.
Zurich had previously notified the county that it would be canceling Jones’ bond over an auditor’s investigation that ended with Auditor Shad White demanding that Jones repay $37,095.28.
The total includes $20,705.03 that Jones allegedly spent to furnish and live in a press box above the concession stand at Amos Crouch ball park in District 4. The rest of the total includes the auditor’s investigative costs and interest.
Harrison County referred questions to Jones’ attorney. But neither Jones nor the attorney returned telephone calls to explain why the bond cancellation was rescinded. Zurich Surety did not respond to an email from the Sun Herald.
Jones has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime.
While he has not talked with the Sun Herald, Jones had posted public comments about the auditor’s investigation and reinstatement of his bond.
He wrote, in part, in a public post on Thursday: “ . . . My BOND has been secured & effective immediately to continue holding office the same as all other supervisors … Without your support, and the grace of God, this step would have been far more difficult.”
Comments on his posts have been positive. Commenters say they are praying for him, appreciate his work as a supervisor and hope he will stay strong.
This story was originally published July 14, 2023 at 2:28 PM.
