Fairley’s attorney Sanford Knott, of Jackson, filed motions to U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett asking him to dismiss the case against Fairley. One motion claimed the government failed in timely production of information that could have helped Fairley’s defence. Starrett rejected those motions and ordered that the trial begin. Starrett disregarded Knott’s motions outside the presence of the jury consisting of 12 people and two alternates. Fairley and Artie Fletcher, a co-defendant from Picayune, were indicted on March 10 for multiple charges of money laundering. These accusations date back to August 2010, when Hattiesburg and Fairley’s Pinebelt Community Services entered into an agreement to rehab three properties. An additional one was added later. According to the indictment, Fairley called Fletcher, owner Interurban Development (a New Orleans-based for-profit development company), to help rehabilitate two properties. Fletcher and Fairley conspired to provide seed money for Pinebelt before it could incur expenses and receive reimbursement from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Fairly is accused of submitting inflated Pinebelt invoices and taking the difference, approximately $170,000. Fletcher pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, failing to inform authorities that he knew of a felony being committed. Fletcher is expected to serve as the government’s chief witnesses against Fairley. To support this important work, you can make a regular donation to us today as part of the Spring Member Drive.
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