Alderman Tillis Says Harris Likely Broke Law, Says Wilkinson Should Be ‘Indicted’ Over Securix

OCEAN SPRINGS, MS — In a phone call with GC Wire, Ward 1 Alderman Steve Tillis acknowledged that Ocean Springs City Attorney David Harris may have violated Mississippi law in connection with recently presented contracts and said former City Attorney Robert Wilkinson “should be indicted” and “made to pay” for his role in the controversial Securix traffic enforcement program.

Despite those admissions, Tillis expressed uncertainty about whether removing Harris would be appropriate, even if an Attorney General’s opinion were to find his conduct unlawful.

‘I Didn’t Like the Way It Went Down’

In the November call that was initiated by the alderman, Tillis said he was troubled by how Harris presented three contracts related to PFAS compensation to the Board of Aldermen, including one contract that financially benefitted Harris.

“I didn’t like the way it went down,” Tillis said. “I didn’t like the way it was presented and I didn’t like the way we got the documents the next day.”

Tillis was referring to an executive session meeting where City Attorney Harris presented competing contracts from law firms that promised to help the city receive compensation from manufacturers of forever chemicals if these chemicals were found to have infiltrated the city’s drinking water.

One of the contracts – the one Harris recommended the Board choose – would have entitled Harris to 15 percent of the firm’s fee.

During the 15 minute pitch, Harris used approximately 12 seconds of that meeting to mention he was a part of the contract, according to multiple Aldermen in attendance. The following day, the details were revealed when Harris sent copies of the contract to the Board and mayor, labeling the email as private and not to be shared with anyone.

‘There Needs to Be Consequences’

Tillis said he researched the issue himself and believed the actions by Harris “could be against statute,” though he emphasized that he is not an attorney and relies heavily on the legal advice provided by Harris himself.

Critics have questioned whether Harris, who stood to benefit from the structure and approval of those contracts, should have recused himself from advising the board. Mississippi Rules of Professional Conduct prohibit attorneys from providing legal advice in matters where they have a personal interest that conflicts with their client. Mississippi law also bars public officials from benefitting from public contracts.

During the call, Tillis acknowledged the concern but said aldermen are often ill-equipped to challenge legal advice.

“You would think that we could trust what he has to say,” Tillis said. “But these are real good questions.”

While Tillis said he believed transparency was important and floated the idea of requesting an Attorney General’s opinion, he stopped short of endorsing any specific remedy, even if wrongdoing were confirmed.

“I’m not sitting here saying we need to vote him out,” Tillis said. “But if he did act unlawful, then there needs to be some type of consequences. I don’t know what they are.”

Wilkinson and the Securix Fallout

The conversation also turned to the long-running Securix scandal, a private traffic citation program that operated in Ocean Springs for years before being dismantled amid lawsuits, state intervention, and public outcry.

Tillis said he hoped the city’s decision to turn over remaining Securix funds would insulate Ocean Springs from further liability but stated that criminal exposure for individuals was a separate matter.

“I think other people need to be indicted for what they did,” Tillis said. “Especially Wilkinson. I mean, he should be made to pay for some of this stuff.”

Robert Wilkinson, the former city attorney, has denied wrongdoing and has defended his role in the Securix program in court filings and public statements. However, GC Wire has previously reported on conflicting timelines, sworn affidavits, and a state cease-and-desist letter that contradict key elements of Wilkinson’s public narrative.

Despite his beliefs, Tillis voted in July to allow Wilkinson’s law firm to continue representing the city in various legal matters.

Attorney General Opinion

When asked if a third party law firm to investigate the actions of Harris was on the table, Tillis said he would rather ask the Attorney General for an official opinion. Public officials are able to request opinions from the AG’s office on matters of law.

“I was in there on the computer just kind of playing around with it, looking and doing some research myself on the whole thing that went down with the way the [PFAS] contracts were presented,” Tillis stated. “I said, ‘Why don’t I just get an opinion from the AG?’ And that would just seem like it would be more of a professional statement that could be presented to the Board.  And then, as a Board, we could do what we have to do.”

Last year, Ward 4 Alderman Shannon Pfeiffer submitted a letter to the Attorney General asking for an opinion on whether Harris misrepresented state law in regards to his own contract. The Board, including Tillis, voted to retract that letter and instruct the AG not to answer because Pfeiffer used the phrase “on behalf of the Board” in the letter.

A Growing List of Controversies

City Attorney Harris has been the focus of several controversies since being appointed in July 2025, including being accused of falsifying official city records, misrepresenting the law to secure his own contract, failing to recuse himself from matters which posed a conflict of interest, and advising the Board it is acceptable to lie in state grant applications.

Ward 2 Alderman Karen Stennis has made repeated attempts to replace Harris as city attorney, citing numerous conflicts of interest and misrepresentation of laws. In November, Stennis and Pfeiffer called a special meeting for the Board to address the matters, but none of the other aldermen showed up.

As of publication, GC Wire was unable to confirm whether Tillis has submitted a letter to Attorney General Lynn Fitch’s office asking for an opinion on any of these matters.

UPDATE February 3, 2026: GC Wire has confirmed Alderman Tillis has not asked the Attorney General for an opinion on matters related to City Attorney David Harris.