Auditor’s Office Arrests Two Former Moss Point Employees for Embezzlement

JACKSON, Miss. – Today Special Agents from the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor arrested two former employees of the City of Moss Point, Kenya Bowens and Lakeshia Benton, after both were indicted for embezzlement by a grand jury assembled by outgoing District Attorney for the 19th District Anthony “Tony” Lawrence. At the time of arrest agents issued Bowens and Benton separate demand letters for over $30,000 cumulatively, which includes interest and investigative costs.
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Statement from State Auditor Shad White Regarding Arrest of Former Water Association President in Marion County

JACKSON, Miss. – Investigators from the State Auditor’s office provided assistance to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office which led to an arrest of a former water association president. Marcus P. Hull is accused of embezzling $106,599.63 from Mt. Gilead-Improve Water Association during a two-year period.
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Agents from Office of the State Auditor Assist with Arrest of Former Webster County Sheriff

JACKSON, Miss. – Investigators from the State Auditor’s office participated in a joint operation that led to the arrest of the Sheriff of Webster County. State Auditor Shad White issued the following quote:
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State Auditor Releases Compliance Audit of the State Auditor’s Office

JACKSON, Miss. – State Auditor Shad White announced today the completion of a compliance audit of his own office. Mississippi law and auditing experts from the Auditor’s compliance audit division reviewed whether employees of the Office of the State Auditor were complying with all the laws that apply to their handling of public money.
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State Auditor Issues $673,000 Demand Against Estate of Former Wilkinson County Chancery Clerk

JACKSON, Miss. – State Auditor Shad White has issued a civil demand to the estate of the former Chancery Clerk of Wilkinson County, the late Thomas C. Tolliver. The demand states Tolliver exceeded the fee cap for his position and failed to reimburse the county for employee salary expenses.
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State Auditor Arrests Former Health Department Employee for Embezzlement

JACKSON, Miss. – Today Special Agents from the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor arrested former employee of the Lowndes County Health Department Phyllis Welch after she was indicted for embezzlement by a grand jury assembled by District Attorney for the Mississippi 16th District Scott Colom. Welch was also issued a demand for $4,102.68, which includes interest and investigative costs.
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State Auditor Calls for Internal Auditors, Other Changes to Prevent Embezzlement at Public Universities and Community Colleges

JACKSON, Miss. – Today State Auditor Shad White released a report showing that, while all Mississippi four-year universities have internal auditors, no Mississippi community colleges employ internal auditors. The report recommends changes to state law to address that issue and describes other measures to help prevent fraud in higher education.
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Auditor’s Office Arrests Jones County Supervisor for Embezzlement and Fraud

JACKSON, Miss. – Today Special Agents from the office of State Auditor Shad White arrested Jones County Supervisor Jerome Wyatt for embezzlement and fraud. He was indicted by a grand jury assembled by District Attorney Anthony J. Buckley, the District Attorney for Mississippi’s 18th District. Wyatt was also issued a demand letter at the time of arrest.
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Auditor’s Office Reveals Widespread Misspending Practices at Canton Municipal Utilities and Issues Thirteen Demand Letters Worth Over $100,000

JACKSON, Miss. – Today State Auditor Shad White announced that civil demands were issued to 12 current and former Canton Municipal Utilities employees. The demands total $101,829.76 and include principle, interest, and investigative costs.
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Former Treasurer of Lamar County Volunteer Fire Department Arrested for Embezzlement

OLOH, Miss. – Special Agents from the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor arrested former treasurer of the Oloh Volunteer Fire Department Michelle Barefoot this week. District Attorney for the Mississippi 15th District, Hal Kittrell, assembled a grand jury that recently returned an indictment for embezzlement against her.
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