United States Attorney General Recognizes Federal Prosecutor In Mississippi

WASHINGTON – Mike Hurst, an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of Mississippi, was recently recognized by Attorney General Eric Holder and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director Monty Wilkinson at the 30th annual Director’s Awards Ceremony held this week in Washington D.C.

The Southern District of Mississippi was one of 44 districts represented at the ceremony which was held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building on Wednesday, September 10, 2014.

In his prepared remarks to awardees, Attorney General Holder said, “Locally, nationally, and internationally, you represent the very best that this Department has to offer. Your work embodies our ongoing commitment – not merely to win cases, but to do justice; to protect our fellow citizens from crime, violence, and terrorism; to empower the most vulnerable among us; and to uphold the rule of law.”
EOUSA Director Monty Wilkinson echoed those sentiments, saying to the recipients, “You have persevered, and remained focused and motivated – achieving remarkable results in work that makes a difference in the lives of citizens across our great country. The vast scope of your collective accomplishments is nothing short of exceptional.”

Mr. Hurst was awarded the Director’s Award for Superior Performance as a Criminal AUSA for the outstanding prosecution of the largest and most complex mortgage fraud Ponzi scheme in the history of the State of Mississippi, United States v. Charles H. Evans, Jr. and Jon Christopher Evans. AUSA Hurst’s efforts helped result in the defendants’ guilty pleas to money laundering and bank fraud; sentences of 14 years for Jon Christopher Evans and 20 years for Charles H. Evans, Jr.; a forfeited money judgment in the amount of $18,594,221.58; a loss calculation for sentencing purposes in the amount of $26,660,602.78; and restitution ordered to numerous banks and title insurance companies totaling $25,441,938.48. The case encompassed over $80 million dollars worth of loans involving almost 30 shell or fictitious corporations created by the defendants to launder their illegal proceeds, adversely affecting almost 50 financial institutions, local governments and hundreds of parcels of land in Mississippi and Texas. This prosecution was particularly significant given the sheer size, scope, length, and complexity of the scheme, as well as the difficult legal and logistical issues relating to calculating loss amounts for sentencing and restitution.

“We are pleased that the U.S. Department of Justice has recognized Assistant U.S. Attorney Hurst for his outstanding contribution to the Department and its mission,” said U.S. Attorney Davis.

EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao.