MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis community activist and the former head of the Mississippi Department of Education have been indicted on federal charges and is accused of defrauding the state of Mississippi.
Joseph Kyles was once the head of the Rainbow Push Coalition in Memphis. He’s now accused of working with former Mississippi Department of Education executive director Cerissa Neal and others on an elaborate scheme.
The United States District Attorney and the FBI have been investigating this group for years.
The indictment alleges Cerissa Neal, the former head of the of Mississippi’s Department of Education would split contract requests into smaller jobs to avoid amounts that would trigger a formal bidding process.
Neal is accused of then fielding a bid for the work from one of the defendant’s companies, while obtaining false and inflated quotes, making the businesses of Joseph Kyles, Lambert Martin and David Hunt look like the best choice for the job.
Authorities say Neal received over $42,000 for her role in the scheme, while the other three garnered more than $650,000 dollars in business from the state.
They’re charged with federal bribing, money laundering and accused of running a bid-rigging scheme for years.
Joseph Kyles referred WREG to his attorney when we reached out to him. His attorney didn’t answer our call.
Martin didn’t answer the door at his last listed address, although neighbors confirmed he lived there recently. There was trash on the sidewalk and mail near his door, suggesting a quick exit.
While these documents were only just unsealed, the group was indicted back seven months ago in February. With all four facing wire fraud charges and Neal and Kyles also dealing with money laundering and bribery charges, law enforcement says that decades in prison are on the table.
Kyles and Martin will appear for their arraignment on September 10.
