Hugh Kellenberger

Clarion Ledger

An Ocean Springs businessman claimed to have offered his guest house to unnamed college football players rent-free, only to later amend his story. But a source with knowledge of the situation said Scott Walker’s neighbors were told by the renters they paid for a two-night stay at his home last weekend.

Renting his home on a short-term basis would be a violation of local ordinances, and when first contacted by the Mississippi Press Walker said it was “four university players” who were “absolutely not paying” to stay in his guest house.

That raised red flags, because a booster (Walker is an Ole Miss grad and fan) offering free or reduced rent is a clear-cut NCAA violation.

A booster is defined by the NCAA as anyone who has purchased season tickets, made financial contributions to the athletic department or a university booster organization, participated in or was a member of an organization promoting the university's athletics, arranged for or provided employment for enrolled student-athletes, has assisted in the recruitment of potential student-athletes or provided benefits to enrolled student-athletes and their families, or been otherwise involved in promoting university athletics. Once that person has been identified as a booster, they retain that affiliation forever.

The article did not contain any more details on the visitors (who stayed in the guest house), including what school they attend. Walker has not returned multiple messages seeking comment from The Clarion-Ledger, but told the Mississippi Press Wednesday they were actually “former football players” and then said, with a laugh, they were from “Mississippi State.”

Walker was recently released from prison after serving 13 months after pleading guilty to public corruption charges. A former aide to Senators Trent Lott and Roger Wicker, Walker also unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Ocean Springs.

Walker is attempting to rent out his home on both a short-term basis, which goes against current laws in Ocean Springs, and a long-term basis. The latter does not require a permit, and Walker told the publication that his family has several rentals booked. But Ocean Springs caps the number of short-term rentals at 35, and Walker's home is not among them.

Once the application process begins, all residents within 500 feet of the Walkers' home would have to be notified. The Ocean Springs planning commission would then hold a hearing.

Neighbors apparently notified the town of Ocean Springs after noticing more cars than normal in the Walkers' drive-way.

Contact Hugh Kellenberger at (601) 961-7190 or hkellenber@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @HKellenbergerCL on Twitter.

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