Miss. Code Ann. § 7-5-9: Miss. Code Ann. § 7-5-9

The attorney general shall have the power to employ a suitable and competent person or persons who possess professional skill and/or expert knowledge when such employment shall be necessary in order to enable him to efficiently perform the official duties imposed upon him by law, and he may pay such person or persons reasonable compensation as may be agreed upon, provided such compensation shall not exceed the compensation usually paid for similar services by private employers of such persons. The compensation and necessary expenses of such employees shall be paid out of the attorney general's contingent fund or out of funds especially appropriated for such purposes.