Judge resets trial date in bribery case of ex-MS state senator and his son
The bribery trial of former Mississippi state Sen. Philip Moran and his son, convicted sex offender Alan Moran, was scheduled to begin this week but has been continued until June.
The delay stems from the unavailability of the elder Moran’s attorney, H.H. “Tracy” Klein, according to a new order filed in the case.
As a result, Philip Moran will remain under house arrest unless he violates the conditions of his release imposed last week, after prosecutors asked the court to keep him jailed over alleged threats to harm someone.
As part of the conditions, Circuit Judge Christopher Schmidt prohibited the former three-term senator, Hancock County supervisor and Mississippi Parole Board member from leaving his Diamondhead home except to work at his pest control business or meet with Klein in Hattiesburg. Moran is also barred from possessing firearms, using controlled substances or consuming alcohol.
Alan Moran, a former Diamondhead councilman, is already in custody, serving a 12-year prison sentence for violating probation tied to a previous conviction for child exploitation.
The Morans are among four people indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit bribery and bribery in an alleged scheme to cover up a misdemeanor stalking offense involving the younger Moran. Alan Moran has since been convicted of the stalking charge.
Two co-defendants, Jeremy Billings and Ian Schexnayder, previously pleaded guilty to one count of bribery and are expected to testify against the Morans at trial.
Waveland police and FBI task force agents began investigating the case in December 2024 after the stalking victim reported that two men — later identified as Billings and Schexnayder — approached him at a Lowe’s store in Waveland and offered him $20,000 to drop the charge against Alan Moran.
The victim rejected the offer and reported the alleged bribe to police.
Prosecutors allege the conspiracy began after Alan Moran summoned Billings to the family’s business in Kiln and asked him to offer the victim the bribe. Investigators say the Morans supplied the cash and instructed Billings to offer $5,000 upfront and $15,000 later, though no money ultimately changed hands. Billings then recruited Schexnayder to assist.
Assistant District Attorneys Matthew Burrell and Chris Daniel are prosecuting the case.
This story was originally published February 6, 2026 at 12:19 PM.
