Moss Point aldermen say they can’t force mayor to resign
The Moss Point Board of Aldermen can’t force Mayor Mario King to resign and doesn’t expect that he will, the board said in a statement released Friday evening.
The statement came hours after King was indicted on federal fraud charges. The indictment, unsealed as the mayor and his wife, Natasha King, made their initial appearance in U.S. District Court, alleges that the couple used money raised for mental health services for Moss Point youth to purchase a Volvo and a dog.
In their statement, the aldermen wrote that Mississippi law prevents King’s removal from office unless he is convicted of a felony, or pleads guilty. King has yet to enter a plea.
“There has been no indication that the mayor intends to resign as a result of the indictment, and the Board of Aldermen cannot force a resignation,” the statement said. “We understand that many citizens have expressed concerns over the Mayor staying in office due to the nature of the allegations, but we would like to reiterate... ‘Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.’”
The allegations against King are not directly related to his conduct as mayor, the aldermen noted.
“The cost of the mayor’s defense will be solely on the mayor and will not involve any taxpayer dollars!” they wrote.
They also said that city business will go on “as usual,” and that a mayor pro tem is prepared to step in to carry out the duties of the mayor if needed.
The board has long been at odds with King. In 2019, it voted to cut his salary and limit his travel, following lawsuits against the mayor charging age discrimination and harassment.
One lawsuit was filed by an alderman, Ennit Morris, who sued King for at least $1 million, alleging assault and battery, deprivation of free speech, and other charges.
Reached Friday before the aldermen had met to discuss a response to the indictment, Morris was asked if he was surprised by the charges laid out against the mayor.
“Nope,” he said.
This story was originally published July 10, 2020 at 6:05 PM.
