A landscape architect has been accused of defrauding a small Mississippi Delta town out of more than $150,000 in services.

Officials with the State Auditor’s Office report that John Jackson, the owner of JPA, Inc., was arrested and charged with one count of false statements or representations to defraud the government.

Jackson is accused of submitting invoices to the City of Tutwiler for landscape architect services he never provided. White said the fraudulent submissions caused a loss to the city of $155,039.15.

“This is one of the larger cases we’ve had this year, so I want to thank the investigators on my team for their diligent work and the prosecutors for being willing to take the case,” said White.

Jackson faces up to five years and $10,000 in fines if convicted.

Suspected fraud can be reported to the Auditor’s office online by clicking the red button at www.osa.ms.gov or calling 1-(800)-321-1275 during normal business hours.