A Lauderdale County supervisor has been fined by the State Auditor's Office.

"It's a sad day in Lauderdale County, that Lauderdale County residents can't try to help World War I veterans, to clean up their tombstones," said District 2 supervisor Wayman Newell.

Newell responded Friday after a surprise visit from the State Auditor's Office.

"I want to tell the voters of District 2 that I am going to be fined for trying to clean up the cemetery on 10th Avenue by using county employees," Newell said.

Newell says he has to pay over $1,000, including interest. He said he was
only trying to help and didn't know he was breaking the law in the process.
He said he thought the inter-local agreement between Meridian and Lauderdale County covered cemeteries. But it only specifies condemned houses.

"I just wanted the people to know the truth, that as soon as I found out that it was illegal to use county employees, I quit," he said.

Lisa Shoemaker, spokesman for State Auditor Stacey Pickering said, "It is our position that he owes this money back to the taxpayers. It is the work of the State Auditor's Office to protect the assets and integrity of all taxpayers of Mississippi."

Newell said he has 15 days after he receives an official letter from the State Auditor's Office to pay the fine.

"But I hope that one day I can get this cleaned up with an inter-local agreement with the county and the city," Newell said.

Newell said he will not let this stop the cleanup effort. Next month he will coordinate a community cleanup effort at the 10th Avenue cemetery. He said anyone who can lend a helping hand is welcome.