JACKSON- State Auditor Stacey Pickering returned nearly $27,000 to the Town of Sidon (Leflore County) after Kimberly Smith, former town clerk for the town of Sidon, pled guilty to embezzling funds.

Smith, 32, was the town clerk from May 2002 through January 2005.  The funds were embezzled by Smith issuing checks to herself and forging signatures of Mayor Fanny Gordon without her knowledge or authorization.

The investigation was conducted by the State Auditor’s Office and prosecution was handled by the district attorney in Leflore County.

“This was a good example of a cooperative effort on behalf of the State Auditor’s Office and the local officials in Leflore County,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering.

“The town of Sidon fully cooperated in this investigation, and their cooperation led to a confession by Smith,” said Pickering. “These funds are important to the town of Sidon, and I am glad we were able to successfully bring this case to a close.”

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