INDIANOLA, Miss. (WJTV) – Special agents from the State Auditor’s Office served three aldermen for the City of Indianola with civil demands totaling $42,441.15.

According to State Auditor Shad White, Aldermen Ruben Woods, Marvin Elder, and Sam Brock Jr. collectively misappropriated $38,900 in public funds to be paid to Spencer Construction in the absence of a binding, non-void, and enforceable contract.

In September 2019, White said the City of Indianola entered into a contract with Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC) to receive grant funds to be used for rehabilitation and/or reconstruction of homes for low-income homeowners. The city contracted with South Delta Planning and Development District (SDPDD) to perform administrative services related to the grant.

Spencer Construction entered into a contract for renovations to a residency, which was to be paid for through the MHC grant. White said SDPDD submitted the paperwork requesting payment after the deadline, which caused the payment request to be denied.

The State Auditor said Woods, Elder, and Brock Jr. all voted to pay Spencer Construction $38,900 despite the City of Indianola not having any written contract for the work provided. All three have been served with civil demands.

White said no prosecutor has charged any of these individuals with a crime.