Former education head, contractors accused of fudging bids

By LEAH WILLINGHAM

Associated Press/ Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – A former top official at the Mississippi Department of Education and three contractors who worked with the agency are being accused by the federal government of stealing thousands of dollars from the state.

The government alleges that Cerissa Renfroe Neal stole $42,000 from the state while acting as executive director of the Department of Education from 2013 to 2016.

Authorities say she granted more than $650,000 in illegal contracts. Neal and contractors David Hunt, Joseph Kyles and Lambert Martin have been charged in a federal indictment with conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering and bribery.

Neal has pleaded not guilty.