Auditor’s Office Arrests Landscape Architect Accused of Fraud

JACKSON, Miss. – On Thursday, State Auditor Shad White announced that Special Agents from his office arrested John Jackson, landscape architect and owner of JPA, Inc., on one count of false statements or representations to defraud the government.

Special Agents accused Jackson of submitting invoices to the City of Tutwiler for landscape architect services he never provided. These fraudulent submissions caused a loss to the city of $155,039.15.

“This is one of the larger cases we’ve had this year, so I want to thank the investigators on my team for their diligent work and the prosecutors for being willing to take the case,” said State Auditor Shad White.

Jackson faces up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines if convicted. The Mississippi Office of the State Auditor presumes all persons arrested innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Report suspected fraud to the Auditor’s office online at any time by clicking the red button at www.osa.ms.gov or by calling 1-(800)-321-1275 during normal business hours.