An investigative report by The New York Times and the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting at Mississippi Today, published in today’s edition of The Dispatch, found that during his 11 years in office, Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott has repeatedly been accused of using the power of his position to harass women, coerce them into sex and retaliate against those who criticize him or allege abuse. He is currently at the center of a federal EEOC lawsuit filed by a former sheriff department employee who said Scott sexually harassed her. That trial is set for next year. In 2021, the FBI began investigating allegations against the sheriff, according to the story. No charges have been filed, and Scott said he believes the investigation has ended.
The report portrays Scott not only as a predator, but as someone who has used the power of his office to punish rivals and intimidate potential witnesses.
It’s quite a departure from the positive public persona Scott has enjoyed in 24 years in Clay County Law enforcement, first as a deputy and now in the final year of his third elected term as sheriff. Scott is seeking a fourth term this year.
In the report, Scott dismissed the claims as “a coordinated hit.” He “wasn’t going to let a bunch of drug heads run me out of office,” he said.
None of the allegations have been proven at this point, but there are dynamics that make these kinds of outrages possible.
The credibility gap between a convicted criminal and a law enforcement officer is naturally wide, which makes inmates vulnerable to abuse and can embolden corrupt law enforcement officials. But that’s not the only dynamic in play. The other is indifference. If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime, the saying so blithely goes. Prisoners get little sympathy, even when abused to the point of torture, as we have seen in recent years at the notorious Parchman prison, where living conditions created a dangerous atmosphere that lead to multiple murders and suicides.
Three months ago, The Times and Mississippi Today told the story of former Noxubee County Sheriff Terry Grassaree, who rose through the ranks of the sheriff’s office and kept his elected office for years despite similar accusations of abuse. He was voted out in 2019 and now faces federal charges of bribery.
There is no law enforcement officer in Mississippi who wields more power than a sheriff. They are directly accountable to no one and answer only to the voters and then only at four-year intervals.
That kind of unassailable power can create an environment for abuse.
This is particularly true in small counties where media scrutiny is either limited or nonexistent.
Although both Clay and Noxubee Counties are in the coverage area of The Dispatch, there is not a reporter assigned to cover county government full-time. The Times and Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting devoted two reporters, working exclusively on these stories over the period of months. It’s an extraordinary commitment that most community newspapers simply aren’t in a position to make, and we commend the journalists for their work.
Reporting such as this should serve to remind us of the important role the news media plays in our communities in holding those in power accountable.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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