Mississippi State Auditor Shad White says his office recovered more than $1 million in taxpayer funds during fiscal 2026 while also highlighting millions of dollars in outstanding demands that remain unpaid.
According to the Office of the State Auditor’s annual Audit Exceptions Report, the office recovered $1,096,510.88 and returned the money to the appropriate entities.
“Mississippians work hard for their money and they deserve to know every taxpayer dollar is being protected,” White said. “The hardworking men and women at the Auditor’s Office will continue to serve as the state’s watchdog and uncover waste, fraud, and abuse wherever we find it.”
The report also focuses on unpaid demands issued by the auditor’s office and referred to the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office for enforcement.
In connection with the Mississippi Department of Human Services welfare scandal, the auditor’s office said it has issued demands totaling $96,312,774.27. According to the report, the Attorney General’s Office recovered $18,000 of that amount during the past year.
Separate from the DHS-related cases, the auditor’s office said 103 cases remain unpaid in full, representing an outstanding balance of $15,792,926.25.
The report states that the Attorney General’s Office has taken no action in 95 of those 103 cases.
White’s office said the Mississippi Supreme Court has ruled that only the Attorney General’s Office can enforce the auditor’s demands in court.
State law requires the auditor to publish an Exceptions Report each August. The 2026 report is organized by county so taxpayers can search for cases in their area.
