Allegations of grift, ethical misconduct, philandering and cronyism
Phillips has faced allegations of ethical misconduct and cronyism, including abusing his previous positions in government in both Mississippi and Texas for personal financial gain.[15][16] In a follow-up report by the Mississippi Legislature, they concluded that, “Mr. Phillips’s actions create the appearance of impropriety, facilitating an erosion of the public trust… [that] could constitute a violation of state ethics laws.”[15]
According to The Guardian, Phillips owes the U.S. government more than $100,000 in unpaid taxes.[5][12] An investigation by the Associated Press revealed that Philipps was registered to vote in three states. Philipps responded to this investigation by saying, “Doesn’t that just demonstrate how broken the system is? That is not fraud — that is a broken system. We need a national ID that travels with people.”[17]
According to Kevin Lyons, spokesperson for the Texas Comptroller, Phillips is unable to do business in the state of Texas. “He’s one of our revolving door kind of hustlers,” said Andrew Wheat, the research director of Texans for Public Justice.[15]
According to the website Intelius, Phillips has been employed by both the Alabama and Mississippi Republican parties. He is listed as a resident of the capital city of Austin, Texas.[1]
An investigation by The Center for Investigative Reporting found that Philips and the Texas-based nonprofit organization engaged in questionable transactions that involving more than $1 million sent as grift to its founders, and a longtime romantic affair between the founder Catherine Engelbrecht and Philips.[18][16]
Philips was found to “award millions in government contracts” to his own personal businesses or associates involved, and then were “quietly shuttered years later”.[15]
Grifters are going to grift