Ellington

Julie Goodman of the Clarion Ledger reports: "The state Department of Human Services is investigating whether millions of dollars in welfare money was used for such things as a down payment on a Jaguar and a trip to a Mediterranean country. The agency is looking into allegations contractors, such as day care providers, have improperly used funds, officials said. Investigators also are questioning whether portions of $89 million in 'rainy day' funds were mishandled between fiscal 2000 and 2002, DHS Executive Director Don Taylor said Wednesday. He could not say how much money might be involved."