‘Power, privilege and influence.’ Moran bribery trial underway in Hancock County
On the first day of testimony in the bribery trial of former Mississippi state Sen. Philip Moran and his son, former Diamondhead Councilman Alan Moran, prosecutors described the case as one about power, privilege and influence.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is a case about privilege,” Assistant District Attorney Chris Daniel told jurors during opening statements. “The evidence will show that between Nov. 5, 2024, and Dec. 13, 2024, these defendants, in conjunction with two other men, offered Slade Miller a bribe. They conspired to offer a bribe.”
To carry out the crime, Daniel said, the defendants used “their money, their power, their privilege as influential members of this community” in an effort to interfere with criminal proceedings against Alan Moran.
Prosecutors allege the Morans devised and directed a scheme to bribe Miller into dropping a stalking charge filed against Alan Moran.
The investigation began in December 2024 after Miller reported to Waveland police that two men on motorcycles approached him in the Lowe’s parking lot and offered him $20,000 to drop the stalking charge. Miller rejected the offer and reported it to authorities.
An investigation by Waveland police and FBI task force agents led to bribery and conspiracy indictments against the Morans and two other men, Jeremy Billings and Ian Schexnayder. Billings and Schexnayder later pleaded guilty to bribery and testified Wednesday for the prosecution.
According to prosecutors, the bribery scheme began when Alan Moran summoned Billings to the family’s business in Kiln and asked him to offer money to Miller in exchange for dropping the stalking charge. Prosecutors allege Philip Moran was present and heard the discussion.
Moran was ‘afraid and upset’
‘Billings testified that Alan Moran appeared “afraid and upset” when he asked him to make the offer. He said Alan Moran gave him a mugshot of Miller so he’d know who he was.
Billings said Philip Moran was about 10 to 15 feet away and could have heard the conversation, although he acknowledged during cross-examination that he could not be 100% certain the elder Moran overheard it.
Billings said Alan Moran promised to pay off a truck loan in exchange for Billlings carrying out the bribe. Billlings testified the truck belonged to the Moran business, but he used it for his lawn care company and was told he would receive ownership of it once the loan was paid off.
Billings said he recruited Schexnayder to help him approach Miller. Schexnayder confirmed his involvement during his testimony.
Video footage played for jurors showed Philip Moran visiting Keesler Federal Credit Union in Diamondhead and withdrawing a $30,000 cash loan on the same day the stalking charge was filed.
Additional surveillance footage from Lowe’s showed Billings and Schexnayder entering the store wearing motorcycle helmets before later meeting Miller in the parking lot.
After Miller declined the offer, the three later met in the parking lot of a nearby Dirt Cheap store, where Billings again offered him cash from a backpack in exchange for dropping the charge. Billings testified that he believed Miller briefly considered the offer before rejecting it a second time.
Miller also testified Wednesday about the events that led to the stalking charge. He said Alan Moran approached him at Lowe’s, made sexually suggestive comments and later waited for him in the parking lot after his shift ended.
As a result of Miller’s allegations, Alan Moran was arrested and later convicted of misdemeanor stalking in Waveland Municipal Court, though he is appealing the conviction in County Court.
Daniel and Assistant District Attorney Matthew Burrell are prosecuting the case before Circuit Judge Christopher Schmidt.
$30,000 in cash and a classic car
Defense attorney H.H. “Tracy” Klein, who represents Philip Moran, argued that the state’s case depends heavily on the credibility of Billings, a man he described as a convicted co-defendant.
Klein told jurors the evidence would show that Philip Moran’s withdrawal of a $30,000 cash loan against a CD had nothing to do with bribery.
According to Klein, Philip Moran went to the bank cash loan after he contacted a man in Georgia about purchasing a classic 1942 Oldsmobile. He said he made the cash withdrawal from Keesler Federal Credit Union to potentially buy the vehicle.
Klein said Philip Moran later traveled to Georgia, inspected the car and decided not to purchase it. But instead of redepositing the money, Klein said, Moran stored the cash in a safe.
A grand jury later indicted Philip Moran, Alan Moran, Billings and Schexnayder on the bribery and conspiracy charges. Billings and Schexnayder are awaiting sentencing after entering guilty pleas in the case.
Alan Moran’s probation on a felony child exploitation conviction was revoked as a result of the bribery indictment. Schmidt subsequently sentenced him to serve 12 years in prison.
Donald Rafferty represents Alan Moran.
