SOUTHAVEN, MS (abc24.com) - Score one for Southaven Mayor Greg Davis. After months of insisting he's done nothing wrong, the Mississippi Attorney General is agreeing with Davis, at least partially.
In an opinion released Tuesday afternoon, Attorney General Jim Hood advised two stipends the Mayor receives are legal. The city attorney asked for the opinion when the Board of Aldermen questioned if the Mayor could receive a $2,700 longevity stipend and a $5,000 education stipend.
"I haven't read it, I haven't read it," Davis said. "If the AG says salaries were legal and appropriate which we felt they had been, then obviously we'll be excited."
What is less clear is the legality of a $35,000 annual stipend the mayor started receiving in 2009, when he started overseeing the city's water department.
Alderman Ronnie Hale says this opinion still left him with questions.
"Until we have a chance to review the opinion and evaluate it, and have our attorney evaluate it, it is kind of hard to comment on," Davis said.
Last week, Davis was arrested and charged for allegedly using flashing blue lights in a private vehicle. A quick look in the mayor's private vehicle showed the lights had been removed.
Mayor Davis is due back in court on two misdemeanor charges in early May.
