Date of Award
Spring 2026
Degree Type
Honors College Thesis
Academic Program
Accounting BSBA
Department
Accounting
First Advisor
Matthew Sargent
Advisor Department
Accounting
Abstract
This study analyzes the relationship between financial fraud in Mississippi public institutions and its potential impact on civic engagement. While the existing literature explores the mechanics of fraud through frameworks such as the Fraud Triangle and the role of internal controls in preventing misconduct, limited research examines how government corruption influences civic disengagement, particularly in Mississippi. Using a quantitative, comparative research design, this study examines the relationship between major public financial fraud cases and voter turnout in case-linked and comparison counties. These cases include the Mississippi TANF welfare fraud, the Department of Corrections bribery case, and the misuse of funds involving the Mississippi Community Education Center. Theoretical frameworks related to fraud behavior and institutional trust are used to assess how ethical breakdowns in state governance may influence political behavior. This study contributes to the understanding of how governance failures within Mississippi public agencies may relate to broader changes in civic engagement, such as voter turnout.
Copyright
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Recommended Citation
Sullivan, Gracie, "Financial Fraud in Mississippi Public Agencies: Case Studies of Control Failures and Implications on Civic Engagement" (2026). Honors Theses. 1122.
https://aquila.usm.edu/honors_theses/1122