PEER Report #281

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE MANSION TRUST AND ITS RENOVATION OF THE GOVERNOR’S MANSION, June 23, 1992, 44 pages

In 1988, associates of then-Governor Ray Mabus formed The Mansion Trust to renovate the private quarters of the Governor’s Mansion. According to Trust bylaws and articles of incorporation, its sole purpose was to benefit the Governor’s Mansion. The Trust was insolvent as of May 5, 1992, and in default on debt of $184,552 held jointly by Trustmark National Bank and deposit Guaranty National Bank.

PEER also found that:

• Trust officials solicited contributions for the Trust on the premises of the Governor’s Mansion in violation of MISS. CODE ANN. Section 29-5-85.
• The Office of General Services, an agency controlled by the Governor, did not supervise the Trust’s $582,958 renovation as required by state law.
• The Trust did not fully inform the Department of Archives and History about bank loans and plans to provide furnishings only during the Mabus term.
• The Trust sold Trust furnishings with an original cost of $33,420 to Governor Mabus for $30,963 eight days before the end of the Governor’s term.
• PEER recommends corrective legislation clarifying authority of the Office of General Services and the Department of Archives and History over renovations of state buildings financed by private funds.

For a paper copy of this report, contact PEER by telephone at 601-359-1226 or by e-mail at reports@peer.ms.gov.