Steve Patterson (politician)
Steven A. Patterson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Union County, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Attorney, politician |
| Years active | 1970s–2010s |
| Known for | State Auditor of Mississippi (1992–1996), chairman of the Mississippi Democratic Party (1984–1987) |
Steven A. Patterson is an American attorney and political figure who held the position of State Auditor of Mississippi from 1992 until 1996. Affiliated with the Democratic Party, he participated in several political campaigns throughout the 1970s and acted as treasurer for Bill Allain’s 1983 gubernatorial bid. Backed by Allain, Patterson served as chairman of the Mississippi Democratic Party until stepping down in 1987.
In 1991, Patterson sought election as state auditor. After taking office in 1992, he expanded law enforcement authority to certain staff members and obtained permission to perform performance audits on state agencies. He secured reelection in 1995 but resigned the next year amid allegations of misconduct. Despite lacking a legal license, he joined a law firm in 2006. Two years later, he admitted guilt in a conspiracy involving bribery of a public official.
Early life
Patterson grew up in Union County, Mississippi. He completed a master's degree at the University of Southern Mississippi and married Debbie; together they had two sons. Subsequently, he worked as an investment banker based in Jackson.
Initial involvement
As a Democrat, Patterson contributed to gubernatorial campaigns for Charles L. Sullivan (1971) and William F. Winter (1975), managed John Arthur Eaves’s 1979 campaign before endorsing Winter following Eaves’ primary defeat, and served as an aide to both Governor Winter and Senator John Stennis. Acting as treasurer for William Allain’s 1983 campaign earned him Allain’s support to lead the Mississippi Democratic Party from 1984 until his resignation in 1987. In 1984, he became the first white recipient of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s Medgar Evers Award. Patterson ran unsuccessfully for Mississippi’s 4th congressional district U.S. House seat in 1988, placing third in the Democratic primary.
Tenure as State Auditor
Patterson campaigned for State Auditor of Mississippi in 1991, winning the Democratic runoff and facing no opposition in the general election. He assumed office on January 9, 1992, advancing government reforms previously proposed by earlier auditors. In January 1993, he released Stop the Waste, detailing strategies to reduce expenditures. That same year, he obtained law enforcement powers for select investigators within his office and later secured authorization to perform performance audits on state agencies. A February 1995 audit recommended changes projected to save $650 million by the year 2000; however, these suggestions were largely disregarded by both the governor and legislature. Patterson was reelected in 1995.
In July 1996, Danny Banks, head of the Department of Audit’s investigative division, was indicted on embezzlement charges. During ensuing inquiries, it was revealed that Patterson had used a falsified letter in 1995 to acquire a license plate without settling back taxes, falsely asserting that his vehicle was not operated on public roads despite an accident involving his wife in 1994. Although Patterson subsequently paid the owed taxes, investigations were launched by the attorney general’s office, state highway patrol, and FBI concerning potential misuse of stolen funds and possible financial gain linked to a former business partner. On October 10, 1996, Patterson declared his resignation effective November 1 and pleaded guilty to submitting a false affidavit to evade county taxes. He was fined $1,020 and became the first statewide official in Mississippi to resign under such circumstances in decades. Governor Kirk Fordice appointed Phil Bryant as his replacement.
Later life
In 2006, Patterson partnered with attorney Tim Balducci to establish Patterson Balducci PLLC based in New Albany, Mississippi. Subsequently, they expanded by forming Patterson, Balducci, & Biden PLLC in Washington D.C., bringing in more partners. Despite these efforts, the firm faced difficulties in attracting clients. Since Patterson was not a licensed attorney and Mississippi regulations mandate that only lawyers may serve as named partners in legal service organizations, the Union County bar association reported this potential infraction to The Mississippi Bar. Although Patterson acknowledged he was not a lawyer, he denied any misconduct. The Bar directed Balducci to ensure Patterson was not represented as an attorney in any firm promotions. However, additional complaints prompted a comprehensive inquiry, which ultimately determined that Patterson had engaged in the unauthorized practice of law.
In 2007, prominent trial lawyer Richard Scruggs attempted to influence a state circuit court judge through bribery related to legal fee payments. The judge reported the incident to the FBI, leading to arrests that included both Patterson and Balducci, who were charged with involvement in facilitating the bribe. Following these events, Balducci resigned from the Mississippi Bar, effectively halting its probe into Patterson but conceding his partner’s unauthorized legal activities. On January 15, 2008, Patterson entered a guilty plea for conspiracy to bribe a public official and agreed to cooperate with authorities in exchange for a lighter sentence. He was sentenced on February 14, 2009, receiving two years of imprisonment along with a $150,000 fine. Due to good conduct while incarcerated, his sentence was shortened and he was released on December 19, 2010.
Works cited
- Crockett, James R. Operation Pretense: The FBI's Sting on County Corruption in Mississippi. University Press of Mississippi, 2003. https://books.google.com/books?id=rykGEAAAQBAJ
- Crockett, James R. Hands in the Till: Embezzlement of Public Monies in Mississippi. University Press of Mississippi, 2007. https://books.google.com/books?id=gyGZRG3H4DoC
- Crockett, James R. Power, Greed, and Hubris: Judicial Bribery in Mississippi. University Press of Mississippi, 2014 (reprint). https://books.google.com/books?id=KEAXAgAAQBAJ
- Nash, Jere; Taggart, Andy. Mississippi Politics: The Struggle for Power, 1976-2008, 2nd ed. University Press of Mississippi, 2009. https://books.google.com/books?id=avs12QS3EZ4C