HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) – After being found in civil contempt of a court order, Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree has to show in two weeks why that charge should not be enforced.
If not, the four-term mayor could find himself taken into the custody of the Forrest County Sheriff Department.
The Hattiesburg American reports (http://hatne.ws/1EUqqHG) special Judge L. Breland Hilburn found DuPree in civil contempt Thursday for failing to submit in an appropriate fashion administrative candidates requiring City Council approval.
After finding him in contempt, Hilburn ordered DuPree to return to court May 21.
DuPree says the tension between the administration and council has narrowed the pool of potential candidates, as has the possibility of a short stint serving out the final two years of DuPree’s term.
