Opinion ID: 1823927
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Representative Howell

Text: ¶ 7. Bobby M. Howell was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives, 46th District, in 1991 and initially took the oath of office in that body in January 1992. Howell has been reelected to that office and has served continuously in that office since 1992. A licensed pharmacist, Howell has practiced pharmacy in Kilmichael, Mississippi, since 1968. He has participated in the Medicaid program since 1970. ¶ 8. Howell was sole proprietor of Kilmichael Drugs from 1968 to 1995. He executed participation agreements in 1970, 1973, 1976 and 1980. During the time he was sole proprietor of Kilmichael Drugs, Howell received all Medicaid reimbursements directly. In July 1995, five days before this action was filed, Howell incorporated Kilmichael Drugs. Upon incorporation, Howell transferred all assets of the drugstore to the corporation, Kilmichael Drugs, Inc. He testified that a substantial factor in his decision to incorporate was the news that Jones was preparing to file this action. He testified that he incorporated the drugstore in order to shelter his assets. ¶ 9. Howell's wife, Charmayne Howell, serves as president and owner of Kilmichael Drugs, Inc. Howell's two children serve on the corporation's board of directors. Howell owns no stock in the corporation. He has no employment contract with the corporation, nor does he receive a salary. Howell testified that he draws money out of the corporation as needed. Mrs. Howell executed a participation agreement in 1995 on behalf of Kilmichael Drugs, Inc. All Medicaid reimbursements are now received by the corporation. Jones sought declaratory and injunctive relief and asked that Howell repay the state $864,000 in gross funds which he had received from Medicaid. ¶ 10. During Howell's terms of office in the Legislature, the Legislature passed the following bills: several Medicaid appropriation bills. From March of 1992 through March of 1994, Howell voted yea in favor of seven bills that provided for Medicaid funding. In February of 1995 and March of 1997, Howell voted present on two house appropriation bills, and in April of 1996, Howell cast his only nay vote on one bill.