June 16, 2014

Former D’Iberville City Manager Sentenced to Prison for Federal Program Fraud

HATTIESBURG, MS—Michael Janus, 47, of Biloxi, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and FBI Special Agent in Charge Daniel McMullen. Janus was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $180,000.

Janus pled guilty in February, admitting that, while serving as city manager for the city of D’Iberville, he fraudulently obtained a $180,000 “finder’s fee” in connection with a $3 million grant from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality to the City of D’Iberville.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office. Criminal Division Chief John Dowdy, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Rushing, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Golden prosecuted the case.