U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

100 W. Capitol Street
Suite 1553
Jackson, Mississippi 39269

Contact: SA Jason Pack
(601) 948-5000

For Immediate Release
June 7, 2006

BOLIVAR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ARRESTED FOR DEFRAUDING FEMA AND WITNESS TAMPERING

John G. Raucci, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Mississippi, Jim M. Greenlee, United States Attorney, Northern District of Mississippi, and Bolivar County Sheriff H.M. "Mack" Grimmett announced as follows:

Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Greenville Resident Agency, together with sheriff's deputies from the Bolivar County Sheriff's Department, arrested Bolivar County Administrator Adrian Brown, 29, of Cleveland, Mississippi.

Brown was indicted on May 24, 2006 by a federal grand jury in the Northern District of Mississippi on one count each of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 666 (a)(1)(B), Theft or Bribery Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds and Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1512(b)(1), Tampering with a Witness.

"Aggressively investigating corruption among public officials is one of the top priorities of the FBI, both here in Mississippi and nationwide," said Special Agent in Charge Raucci. "We are committed to exposing, and bringing to justice, every instance of dishonesty in government."

BROWN is accused of soliciting and accepting a kickback for work performed for the county, which was believed to be fully reimbursed by the United States Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Indictment charges BROWN in a second count with attempting to intimidate a witness. A copy of the Indictment is attached hereto.

If convicted, BROWN faces a $500 thousand fine and 20 years confinement in a federal prison. FBI Agents transported BROWN to the United States District Court, Greenville, Mississippi, for an initial appearance.

The FBI has established a hotline to report suspected public corruption activities. The number is (800) CALL- FBI or (800) 225-5324. An online reporting mechanism is also available by logging on to and clicking on "submit a tip."

Mr. Raucci, Mr. Greenlee, and Sheriff Grimmett stressed that the charges upon which the indictment of Brown are premised are accusations only and there is a presumption of innocence prior to any judicial proceeding.