Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey, whose "Goon Squad" deputies are facing charges for torturing and abusing two Black men in their home, is under investigation over allegations that he used inmates for labor on his family farm.

According to Atlanta Black Star, Mississippi State Auditor Shad White announced last month that he had opened an investigation into allegations that Bailey used his position as sheriff to supplement his family farm's workforce and equipment.

The announcement came after multiple outlets reported that Bailey had used jail inmates and taxpayer dollars to tend to his property.

“We’re all aware of the reporting,” a spokesperson for White said. “We read the article, and Auditor White ordered an investigation to begin yesterday morning when we became aware of the story.”

Bailey was already facing mounting pressure to resign after five deputies, dubbed the "Goon Squad," pleaded guilty to federal civil rights charges in connection to the torture and abuse of two Black men. Reports later revealed that the "Goon Squad" had employed similar tactics for nearly two decades against individuals they believed were using or dealing drugs. Bailey has denied knowing about the brutal tactics.

Deputy Christian Dedmon, a member of the "Goon Squad," confirmed that inmates from the Rankin County jail had been working on a poultry farm that belonged to Bailey's mother. Dedmon also noted that a skid steer with accessories valued at $150,000 was purchased by the sheriff's department and used on the Bailey farm.

“I hid everything for him,” Dedmon said of Bailey. “I done everything for him.”

“I know now I was just a tool to be used during a certain time like everyone else,” he said.

Bailey has denied the allegations, calling reports “a poorly researched work of fiction.”

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