Clarion-Ledger from Jackson, Mississippi • Page 11

Thursday, August 27, TO7 The Orion-ledger 11A ELECTION '87: 'Operation Pretense' ousts all Pontotoc County supervisors ry, has pleaded innocent to one count of bribery, one count of extortion and five counts of mail fraud for allegedly accepting $421 in payoffs to approve $2,669.40 in fraudulent purchases between March 1984 and June 4, 1986. Wayne County District 3 Supervisor Jim-mie T. Duvall, 54, of Shubuta lost with 654 votes to 886 votes for Robert Reynolds of Waynesboro. Duvall was convicted July 30 on bribery and conspiracy charges for taking $1,840 in payoffs between May 1983 and June 1986. He is scheduled to be sentenced Sept.

16 in Jackson and faces a possible 15-year prison term and a $500,000 fine. He is appealing his convictions. Clarke County District 1 Supervisor Francis Spivey, 58, of Stonewall lost with 353 votes to Henry Van Chancellor. Spivey, 58, pleaded innocent to one count of extortion and three counts of mail fraud for allegedly accepting $765 in kickbacks between November 1983 and November 1985. He is free on $5,000 bond awaiting a Sept.

8 trial. ley are entered today. Charges against one salesman have been dropped, and one supervisor died after being arrested. Wednesday's charges were the first in the investigation that came as a result of information given to federal prosecutors by other supervisors implicated in the probe, said John Hailman, assistant U.S. attorney.

"You could call this 'Pretense Hailman said of Wednesday's plea agreements. Nix, Finley and Burt are charged with conspiring with other unnamed Pontotoc County supervisors to increase the price of gravel purchased from Burt's gravel company so that the two supervisors each received $200 to $300 in kickbacks on at least nine different occasions, for a total of $5,000, Whitwell said. Nix and Finley also admitted guilt in submitting false, incomplete and "busted" invoices on behalf of the now-defunct Mid-State Pipe Co. of Carthage, Whitwell said. FBI agents posed as undercover salesmen for Mid-State Pipe during the two-year probe.

Nix and Finley are scheduled to enter their Reggie Collins said Wednesday. Pontotoc County District 3 Supervisor O.L. Finley, who was beaten in a squeaker runoff Tuesday by Kent Anderson of Randolph, also agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to accept gratuities, Whitwell said. Finley, who Wednesday night said unofficial returns showed Anderson with 1,032 votes to Finley's 1,017, said he will resign from the board. In a related action, Lee Hollis Burt of Amory, operator of Bull Mountain Gravel Co.

of Amory, agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiring to pay money to Nix, Finley and other unnamed Pontotoc County supervisors, Whitwell said. With Wednesday's action, Operation Pretense has resulted in charges against 41 supervisors in 21 counties. Seven salesmen and one county road foreman also have been charged, with five of those salesmen including Burt and the road foreman agreeing to plead guilty. Four supervisors have been convicted, and 26 have entered guilty pleas, though that number will increase to 28 after the pleas of Nix and Fin By LYNN WATKINS Clarion-Ledger Staff Writer It's a clean sweep of Pontotoc County in the FBI undercover sting operation code-named "Operation Pretense." On Wednesday, the remaining two of the northeast Mississippi county's supervisors not already charged in the investigation agreed to plead guilty to charges of conspiracy. The three other former supervisors already had pleaded guilty to charges in Operation Pretense and resigned from the board.

Pontotoc County District 2 Supervisor T.L. Nix, who sailed to a fourth-term victory in Tuesday's Democratic runoff, promptly resigned Wednesday morning. In documents filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Oxford, Nix agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to accept gratuities, said Robert Whitwell, U.S. attorney for the state's Northern District.

Nix, 64, who had won re-election by besting challenger Leighton Benjamin of the Hurricane community, was replaced by Henry "Hank" Hodges of Toccopola, Pontotoc Chancery Clerk pleas at 1 p.m. today before U.S. District Court Judge Neal Biggers in Oxford. No date has been set for Burt to enter his plea. All three face penalties of up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine or both.

All three agreed to waive formal indictment by a grand jury on the charges, which stem from an information charge brought by Whitwell. Nix and Finley, as another part of their guilty pleas, agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors, Hailman said. Three other Mississippi supervisors charged in the investigation who had sought re-election along with I-amar County Supervisor Kermit Rayborn, who was convicted Wednesday night were defeated Tuesday, unofficial returns showed Wednesday. In Neshoba County, complete but unofficial returns showed incumbent District 3 Supervisor Arlo Winstead lost to challenger Dudley Warren 1,057 votes to 887 votes. Warren will be one of four new supervisors in the county.

Winstead, who was indicted only days after winning a runoff spot in the Democratic prima Results of Aug. 25 runoff by county Attorney- Danks, from 1A sippi for Danks. Most troubling to Danks, however, was his performance in Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties, where Moore received 53 percent, 57 percent and 52 percent of the vote, respectively. "I knew we had an uphill battle at the polls after the first primary," Danks said. "What I was really waiting on (election night) was the returns from Jackson.

And, once we saw them, I made my concession." There had been much speculation just before the primary and throughout the runoff campaign that Danks would not receive the support of white Jack-sonians because they feared that the city's next mayor would be black or they simply wanted Danks to remain at the helm of the capital city. Jackson precinct returns generally followed the pattern of whites particularly in the city's southwest supporting Moore while blacks were more evenly split between the candidates. Danks, while acknowledging phone The 48-year-old Canton native also said that many of Moore's proposals would unnecessarily burden Mississip-pians with more taxes or drain from resources needed in other agencies. "We don't need one extra taxpayer dollar to do the attorney general's job. We have 60 lawyers and more than 100 others in support staff, so I think we have plenty of staff to do these things with the staff we have," he said.

Herring also panned Moore's proposal to open a branch office in northeast Mississippi. "They don't need any satellite office up there. They need money for highways and education." He termed the victims rights legislation passed last session "the biggest boondoggle in recent memory" because it added another layer of bureaucracy with the hiring of 20 state employees to coordinate the program. Saying the new staff workers cost the state $400,000 annually, Herring added, "This could have easily been handled by a parole of ficer or a secretary." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Moore also took the first dig of the new campaign season when he commented on his Republican opponent's past attempts at statewide office.

"I chose to run as a Democrat and would not change parties just because I lost a couple of races," he said of Herring's jump to the GOP in 1983 after unsuccessful bids for lieutenant governor and governor as a Democrat. Moore said he intended to run his same "positive" campaign through November highlighting issues of public integrity, drug trafficking and "helping the children of this state." He said a major factor in his rolling to a victory in the runoff was his stunning primary showing. "Before that we had to fight the name-recognition monster," Moore said. Herring, who also held a news conference Wednesday, stressed his courtroom experience in comparison with Moore's, particularly at the federal level. "If you needed a lawyer right now, who would you pick," Herring said.

calls from residents wanting him to stay on as mayor, was reluctant to discuss any possible racial overtones in the Jackson vote totals. "It is not good for the city to do so," he said. "We've worked too hard to keep the city unified. We've not had a major racial situation recently." The mayor, whose current term expires in 1989, also said he did not care to rehash his campaign strategy. "When the election is over, it's over and I'm not going to agonize over it." Danks, who had not lost a bid for public office since 1968, said, "You always want to win, but when you're in the political arena, you always know defeat is possible." Moore on Wednesday opened his news conference by saying, "You're looking at the most humble young man ever to stand behind a podium in Mississippi." He later said, "The people of Mississippi have shown a lot of confidence in me by their vote (Tuesday) night." Dem panel delays ruling on residency complaint By HAYES JOHNSON Moore Danks lJ tigate the procedural and legal steps we should take," said Leslie McLemore, chairman of the executive committee.

"Once we get it clarified, it will be clear statewide. Maybe we're doing everyone in the state a favor," he said. Controversy over Harden's residency began before she formally entered the race in May. The state constitution requires Senate candidates to live in their districts for two years before an election, and a 1985 attorney general's opinion held that the two years must immediately precede the election. Foster and others have said Harden moved into the district just before announcing her candidacy; Harden has refused to say when she moved there.

"I grew up in the district; it's my home and that's all there is to it," she said Wednesday, the day after becoming the first black woman ever elected to the Senate. Foster a Jackson State University professor who placed third in the five-candidate first primary claims Banks also moved into the district within the past two years. He could not be reached for comment Wednesday. "Leaders must be role models. As Uanon-Ledger staff Writer The Hinds County Democratic Executive Committee will wait a week before ruling on a complaint that Alice Harden of Jackson, the newly elected state senator from District 28, does not meet Senate residency requirements.

Harden on Tuesday became the first black woman ever elected to the state Senate. Voters in 37 other Senate and House runoffs ousted 10 legislative veterans. In the Senate District 28 race, Harden defeated funeral home owner Earl Banks or 53 percent to 47 percent. But Velvelyn Foster, an unsuccessful candidate in the district's first primary Aug. 4, asked the executive committee to nullify the runoff results on grounds that neither Harden nor Banks meet residency requirements.

Foster said she will take her complaint to Chancery Court if the committee doesn't oblige. In a lunch meeting Wednesday, the executive committee postponed action until a subcommittee has time to study the complaint and report to the full committee. "We're going to look at the residency question, and we're also going to inves- House District 4. Joe McElwain beat incumbent James Nunnally 60 percent to 40 percent. House District 5.

Tommy Woods beat the Rev. Andre Deberry 120. 56 percent to 44 percent. House District 10. Incumbent Harry L.

Bryan beat Steve Shaw 4.397-2,975, 60 percent to 40 percent. House District 15. D. Ted Foster beat Barry Ford 6.073-3, 166, 66 percent to 34 percent. House District 17.

Eloise Scott beat Travis Gray 147, 62 percent to 38 percent. House District 19. William Wheeler Jr. beat Edward O. Pearson 63 percent to 37 percent.

House District 30. Incumbent Charles Wal-drup beat Cleve McDowell 59 percent to 41 percent. House District 35. Glenn Burdine beat incumbent Hugh Easley 52 percent to 48 percent. House District 41.

Alfred Walker Jr. beat Oop Swoope 51 percent to 49 percent. House District 44. Buck Bounds beat incumbent Mike Eakes 4.406-3,194, 58 percent to 42 percent. House District 53.

Charles Weissinger Jr. beat Mark Chaney 53 percent to 47 percent. House District 60. Cecil McCrory beat Sa-mac Richardson 2.380-1.997, 54 percent to 46 percent. House District 64.

Bill Denny beat Cal Adams 895-423. 68 percent to 32 percent. House District 73. Richard Martin beat Bill Leech ,860. 58 percent to 42 percent.

House District 77. Brent Walker beat Joe Barnes 4, 1 54 percent to 46 percent. House District 83. Tommy Home beat Ches-, ter Chatham 57 percent to 43 percent. House District 84.

Roy Dabbs beat Eric Robinson 5 1 percent to 49 percent. House District 87. Incumbent Gus Townsend beat Joe Taylor 3.585-2,908. 55 percent to 45 percent. House District 88.

Gary Staples beat incumbent Ernest Garvin 54 percent to 46 percent. House District 89. Incumbent R. Anderson beat Jerry Ellzey 50.4 percent to 49 6 percent. House District 100.

Miriam Simmons beat incumbent Clifton Holmes 53 percent to 47 percent. House District 105. Dorothy Cole beat incumbent Fred Dobbins 51 percent to 49 percent. House District 106. Incumbent Curtis Hol-ston beat Howard Ladner Jr.

52 percent to 48 percent. House District 108. Ezell Lee beat Terrell Breland 2,8 1 58 percent to 42 percent. House District 115. Ed Ryan beat William Stallworth 59 percent to 41 percent.

House District 121. Diane Peranich beat Grady Ford 51 percent to 49 percent. role models, they must be aware of laws and try to abide by those laws," Foster said Wednesday. In other legislative races, there appeared to be no trends among voters' decisions Tuesday to oust 10 incumbents. Six other veterans were beaten Aug.

4. In House District 91, incumbent two-term Rep. Ted Lambert of Monticello lost to Jimmy Tyrone of Monticello or 56 percent to 44 percent. Lambert this year opposed constitutional reform and sweeping rules changes that tempered the power of House leaders. But in House District 86, progressive-voting Jerry Hutto of Waynesboro who supported both constitutional reform and rules changes also met defeat.

He lost to Joe Taylor of Waynesboro or 52 percent to 48 percent. "I think the whole attitude of the state is, 'Let's get rid of everybody who's in there and start over Hutto said. "We tried to be progressive and do things differently and change in that direction. But for some of us, that didn't pay off." Here are the complete but unofficial results of the other runoffs Tuesday. Senate District 2.

Bill Renick beat Keith McNatt 10,47 54 percent to 46 percent. Senate District 6. Harold Montgomery beat Robert Herring 55 percent to 45 percent. Senate District 8. Incumbent Jack Gordon beat Danny K.

Thomas 53 percent to 47 percent. Senate District 10. Ronnie Musgrove beat Price Darby, 51 percent to 49 percent. Senate District 23. Robert Monty beat Douglas Halsey 56 percent to 44 percent.

Senate District 36. Lynn Posey beat incumbent Jay Disharoon 60 percent to 40 percent. Senate District 38. Pat Welch beat Charles Carruth 1 9, 52 percent to 48 percent. Senate District 40.

Joseph Stogner beat incumbent Emerson Stringer 62 percent to 38 percent. Senate District 47. Wootsie Tate beat Lawrence Holliday 50.1 percent to 49.9 percent. Results of Aug. 25 runoff by county Governor Voters reject Itawamba felon Clarion-Ledger Northeast Mississippi Bureau "We're not going to concede a single vote in November," he said.

"We're not going to concede a single vote in a single county in a single precinct in Mississippi. "The welcome mat in this campaign is out for everyone. We're running an inclusive campaign. We want Democrats, Republicans and independents, because, in the end, this campaign is more than about party, it's about our future." Nevertheless, he said he isn't taking a victory in November for granted. "I know two ways to run a campaign scared and unopposed.

I'm running scared for the next two months." The candidates Wednesday also entered a minor scuffle over economic development, after Reed said his business experience gives him the edge in creating jobs. "I have made payrolls all my life. I speak the language of business; I speak the language of taxpayer. "I'm not here to talk about Ray this morning but frankly I don't know of any job he's brought to Mississippi." Mabus countered, saying his whole government career has been about jobs creation. "It's been about better education, everywhere from working on the education reform act to making government run better so that industry will have a good climate to move in here, making sure money isn't stolen, isn't wasted, goes into economic development." Mabus said he and his wife, Julie, plan to take off the rest of the week, possibly doing a little fishing, and return to full-scale campaigning after the weekend.

Reed, swinging into gear immediately, will meet privately with supporters today. On Friday, he is scheduled to address the Mississippi Association of Supervisors in Natchez and attend a Tippah County reception. Mabus, from 1A "We're going to run a positive campaign, an issue-oriented campaign and I'm happy to hear Jack Reed is talking about doing the same thing." He also said he's willing to debate Reed, who called for a series of five debates in the state's five congressional districts. Mabus on Tuesday captured the Democratic nomination for governor, carrying 65 percent to Sturdivant's 35 percent. Complete but unofficial results showed Mabus with 466,883 votes to Sturdivant's 255,622, with Mabus carrying 76 of the state's 82 counties.

Mabus said he hasn't yet talked with Sturdivant about lining up the defeated candidate's support for the November election, though Sturdivant tried unsuccessfully to call Mabus election night. "I'm eager to talk to him," Mabus said. Reed on Wednesday said Mabus' commanding lead over Sturdivant doesn't mean the state auditor is a shoo-in for November. He noted that Maurice Dantin belted Cliff Finch with 66 percent of the vote in the 1978 Senate Democratic primary, later losing to Republican Thad Cochran. However, Reed neglected to mention the independent candidacy of Charles Evers, which drew many traditionally Democratic black voters to cast their ballots for Evers and against Dantin in the general election.

Reed, attempting to become the state's first Republican governor since Reconstruction, said Mississippi has made enough changes in recent years to allow his success. "We've got our first black Miss Mississippi and I think it's time for our first Republican governor," he said. But Mabus disputed Reed's claim that tens of thousands who voted for the state auditor Tuesday will vote Republican in November. Mabus 7r rSl Sturdivant -3U Sturdivant Black loses race for chancery clerk The Clarion-Ledger HOLLY SPRINGS A local lawyer lost in his bid to become Marshall County's first black chancery clerk since Reconstruction. Alderman John W.

Taylor, who is white, defeated Henry Boyd who is black, 6,296 votes to 5,000 votes in Tuesday's Democratic runoff. In the Aug. 4 primary, Boyd received more votes than his three Democratic opponents, but not enough to avoid a runoff. Because there is no Republican in the race, Taylor will replace J.M. "Flick" Ash, who is FULTON Voters here rejected a former sheriff and convicted felon in Tuesday's Democratic primary runoff for Itawamba County Sheriff.

Incumbent Leland Taylor defeated Don Spradling 5,693 votes to 3,882 in unofficial returns. Spradling, 46, of Mantachie was convicted in 1983 of a federal bribery charge. He had accepted payoffs for allowing a bootlegging operation to handle drive-in business from an abandoned chicken coop in the "dry" county. Because Spradling was convicted in a federal court, he may run again for office. State law, which requires those convicted of federal or state crimes to be removed from office, allows federal felons to seek office after serving their sentences.

State felons cannot run for public office. Spradling had said he would have no trouble gaining permission to carry a gun if elected. Federal law prohibits felons from carrying firearms without approval of the Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms Bureau of the Treasury Department Spradling could not be reached for Age- er or not this is a trend or a flash in the pan," said Cole. Johnson, who defeated 40-year-old Al Gary, agreed. "It indicates that Mississippi is looking for younger and new leadership," he said.

"And it puts a burden on us to produce." The Associated Press contributed to this story. Officials, from 1A sissippi. I think (comparative youth) helped," said Bennett "I think people are impatient for leadership to bring economic development" The burden now is on the younger candidates, if they are elected in November, to live up to their billing, Cole said. "The question that remains is wheth comment Wednesday. Taylor, 53, of Fulton breathed a sigh of relief Wednesday.

"Whew, I'm glad it's over," he said..