Former county auditor ordered to pay back 01-12-2011

THE STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE HAS ORDERED A FORMER PANOLA COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO PAY BACK SOME $292,000. MICHAEL CHANDLER RETIRED IN 2007 AND WAS COLLECTING RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR 15 MONTHS. THESE BENEFITS HE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE SAYS TO THE STATE AUDITOR. PLUS CHANDLER WAS ILLEGALLY PULLING IN OVER $80,000 IN OVERTIME AS AN EXEMPT WORKER.  BUT ONE DAY AFTER RETIREMENT, CHANDLER GOT HIS SAME $80,000 JOB BACK UNDER CONTRACT.  STATE LAW REQUIRES A 45-DAY WAITING PERIOD AND HALF PAY. PICKERING SAYS A PAPER TRAIL AND A TIP HELPED INVESTIGATORS CATCH THE FORMER COUNTY AUDITOR. THIS CASE IS LIKELY TO BE TURNED OVER TO THE PANOLA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR GRAND JURY ACTION.