PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Lisa H. Shoemaker (601) 576-2641 or (601) 613-8518
Laney Grantham (601) 576-2641

DATE: July 25, 2011


Former Leake County Chamber Director Arrested for Forgery and Embezzlement

(Jackson, Miss.) Following a joint investigation by District Attorney Mark Duncan’s office, the Leake County Sheriff’s Office, Carthage Police Department and the State Auditor’s Office, Renodda Dorman has been arrested for allegedly embezzling $60,916 from the Leake County Chamber of Commerce following a seven-month investigation. Since 2001, Dorman was employed as the Executive Director of the Chamber, and the embezzlement took place between 2008 and 2010. Dorman is no longer employed with the Leaker County Chamber of Commerce.

“Renodda Dorman is charged with 2 counts of uttering forgery and embezzlement following an investigation that showed she wrote unauthorized checks to herself for additional salary she was not authorized to receive along with checks written to cover personal bills such as cable television and cell phone payments,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “This case originated with the Leake County Sheriff’s office and my office received a request from District Attorney Mark Duncan and Sheriff Greg Waggoner to assist with the case. This investigation has moved swiftly, and I appreciate the work of all agencies involved in protecting the taxpayers of Mississippi.”

Dorman, 62 of Carthage, was booked into the Leake County Sheriff’s office earlier today and has been released on bond.



Elected as Mississippi’s State Auditor in 2007, Stacey Pickering has recovered more than $4.2 million in embezzled, misspent or misappropriated funds. He is a seventh generation Mississippian from Jones County. Auditor Pickering currently serves on the Domestic Working Group for the Office of the Comptroller General of the United States. He also serves on the Financial Management and Intergovernmental Affairs and Performance Audit Committees for the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers and is a member of the National State Auditors Association. Prior to serving as State Auditor, Pickering served as a State Senator from 2004-2007 representing Jones County and is credited for co-authorizing legislation allowing Mississippi to end lawsuit abuse. Throughout his political career, Pickering has made tremendous strides in creating more accountability and transparency in government and continues to promote fiscal responsibility and the need for more efficiency and productivity in government. For more information on Stacey Pickering, visit www.osa.state.ms.us/auditors-bio.htm.

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