Mississippi landlord Vernell Survillion has entered a guilty plea for making fraudulent claims on rental assistance applications, confirmed the State Auditor's Office. As outlined by the WREG news report, Survillion's fabricated applications included forged signatures and exaggerated rental amounts, which affected tenants leasing from him and prompted unjust payments from the Mississippi Home Corporation.
In an operation combining scrutiny and prosecution, Survillion, owner of several properties, exploited the Rental Assistance for Mississippians Program (RAMP), submitting claims with inflated rental data and erroneous tenant information, details that Darkhorse Press collated from statements provided, the State Auditor Shad White’s pursuit of accountability against fiscal deceit is underscored, amid his affirmation that "The dedicated team at the State Auditor’s Office will continue to work closely with prosecutors to achieve record results for taxpayers."
The misconduct led to Survillion being brought before the Quitman County Circuit Court, where he was handed down a sentence of five years of non-adjudicated probation, coupled with financial penalties that include a $500 fine and restitution amounting to $16,050, as reported by Action News 5.
