Mississippi Auditor Reveals $400 Million in Government Waste in Latest Report

EXCLUSIVE: On Monday, Mississippi state auditor Shad White is set to unveil a report detailing audits conducted by his office, revealing a staggering $400 million in government waste accumulated during his tenure.

In a playful twist, White remarked, “In the last few weeks, we’ve jokingly started calling ourselves MOGE, the Mississippi Office of Government Efficiency, akin to Elon Musk’s DOGE,” referencing Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from the Trump administration.

He added, “We scrutinize every penny with the same diligence as DOGE, and I’m proud to be Mississippi’s Musk.” This approach underscores the auditor’s commitment to fiscal responsibility.

While White’s office lacks the authority to eliminate wasteful spending, it plays a crucial role in alerting state lawmakers to its findings. This accountability is vital in promoting responsible governance.

White emphasized the significance of his work, noting, “We have focused intensely on this initiative for the past couple of years. Recent attention from public figures like President Trump and Elon Musk has heightened awareness about government fraud, waste, and abuse.”

He mentioned that this increased scrutiny has prompted the public to take a closer look at the auditor’s findings, with $400 million in waste uncovered during his tenure explicitly documented.

This shocking figure will be elaborated upon in an extensive 800-page report that White plans to make public later this day.

Significant Issues Related to Medicaid

White identified Medicaid as a major area of concern, indicating that millions of dollars in subsidies are being disbursed to individuals who are ineligible for assistance in Mississippi. Such inefficiencies raise questions about the integrity of state-funded programs.

Moreover, he pointed to another example of fiscal irresponsibility, stating that one state agency incurred costs nearing $6,000 for televisions. In contrast, federal counterparts acquire similar technology at a much lower cost of about $2,000.

Observations on Efficiency in Government

White stated, “If you think the federal government is inefficient, I can assure you that many state governments are likely even less efficient.” This highlights potential systemic issues with state-level governance that require urgent attention.

The auditor addressed the topic of cutting wasteful spending, particularly within Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. He asserted that, even in a traditionally conservative state like Mississippi, there exists much waste that can be identified and rectified.

White described some of the findings in detail, saying, “When you investigate the activities funded by taxpayer dollars, you encounter instances such as microaggression training for engineers or grants for social justice yoga targeting preschoolers. These expenditures seem extravagant and unnecessary, especially as $11 million has been allocated for DEI initiatives in colleges alone.”

The Economic Context of the Findings

In a state where 20% of the population lives below the poverty line, maximizing the efficiency of public spending is more crucial than ever. White expressed that the responsible allocation of federal and public funds is paramount to supporting those in need.

Many millions of misallocated funds originated from welfare appropriations, leading to community gardens that were never built or organizations that failed to use designated funding to support the impoverished, instead choosing to inflate executive salaries.

White concluded by stating, “We found funds meant for the disadvantaged being misused for sponsoring beauty pageants.” This misuse illustrates the ongoing challenges in ensuring taxpayer money benefits the intended recipients.

Wider Implications of Government Waste

The larger takeaway from White’s report suggests that inefficiencies at various levels of government are widespread. With the Department of Justice taking the lead on exposing fraud, waste, and abuse, White insists that all state governments must re-evaluate their practices.

He remarked, “Each state government must take its responsibility seriously and engage in self-examination to ensure that instances of waste, fraud, and abuse are thoroughly investigated and addressed.”

Collaboration Among State Auditors

The role of state auditors varies significantly across the nation. When questioned about collaborations with officials from neighboring states, White explained that states like Alabama have auditors with more restricted authority compared to his office in Jackson.

However, he indicated positive developments, noting that Oklahoma auditor Cindy Byrd is pursuing similar initiatives to identify government waste in her state.

White emphasized the importance of inter-state conversations among auditors, stating, “Whether it’s your state auditor, a key legislator, or the governor, every state should start its own DOGE.” Collaboration on government efficiency initiatives among states could lead to systemic improvements.

Fox News Digital reached out to Governor Reeves for comments regarding White’s efforts in detecting waste, fraud, and abuse within the state’s budget.

Final Thoughts on Fiscal Responsibility

The findings from Mississippi’s auditing office highlight a pressing need for accountability in government spending. As states face increasing scrutiny over fiscal practices, ongoing collaboration and transparency will be critical in fostering a more efficient and responsible governance structure.