Federal authorities have indicted the superintendents of Leake County and Hollandale school districts, along with a consultant, on four counts of conspiracy to commit embezzlement, theft, and bribery involving school funds.
According to the indictment, Earl Joe Nelson, while serving as superintendent of Clarksdale Municipal School District and later at Leake County, and Mario D. Willis, superintendent of Hollandale School District, allegedly funneled tens of thousands of dollars to each other from district funds for consulting services never provided. The alleged scheme ran from November 2021 through at least June 2023.
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The pair are also accused of misappropriating federal funds from the U.S. Department of Education intended for their respective districts.
Moneka M. Smith-Taylor, a consultant and teacher based in St. Louis, has also been indicted. The indictment alleges she received more than $250,000 from Willis for unfulfilled consulting services over two years. She reportedly returned a portion of the funds to Willis in the form of a cash kickback in exchange for the contract.
The Mississippi State Department of Education declined to comment on personnel matters, referring inquiries to local school boards.
As of publication, Willis is still listed as superintendent of Hollandale, and Nelson remains listed as superintendent of Leake County on the state education department’s website. Their current job statuses remain unclear.
