SOUTHAVEN, MS (abc24.com) - It now looks like it will be next year before the Mississippi State Auditor releases a new total for Southaven Mayor Greg Davis to pay.
Davis is accused of misusing tax payer money and was ordered to pay back a total of $170,000.
He gave the state a check for $96,000 and provided receipts for $44,000. Exactly how much from those receipts will be accepted is still in question.
The mayor's in trouble for not keeping receipts over the years, but tax payers are unhappy with those Davis was able to find.
They include thousands of dollars spent on alcohol and thousands in tips.
"It's really extravagant," says Steve Ngyen. "He is abusing his power."
The mayor frequently left tips totaling a hundred dollars or more.
"It's polite to leave 20%," says Tina Murchison. "Being that now he's being investigated, that bothers you."
"When you're using the taxpayer's money you've got to be good stewards on it," says Mark Jones. "That's not being a good steward."
Multiple times the tip was more than half the tab, like one $126 bill with a $100 tip. There are several receipts where the tip is more than the bill. One shows where Davis left a $100 tip on $76.
"That's kind of depressing," says Sharon Fairburn. "Especially in these economic times, that he feels he can do that on our money."
Thousands of dollars were spent on steak dinners, a majority of them at Southaven's Mesquite Chophouse.
Looking at receipt after receipt, thousands also went toward alcohol.
"That's way out of line," Jones tells abc24.com.
"Where is the need for that?" asks Murchison. "Is he entertaining guests that have come into town? Is that the only way to entertain someone? A large tab for alcohol? Personally I don't drink so that bothers me."
"I can see taking people to dinner," Fairburn tells abc24.com. "I can't see leaving a hundred dollar tip. I kind of wish I was the waitress."
The auditor's office expects to give Davis a new total by January 4th or 5th.
