Corinth, Miss-William Paul Rhodes former Alcorn County Purchasing clerk, pled guilty to hindering prosecution, fraudulently obtaining public funds, and false representation to defraud government. Rhodes received 15 years in the custody of the MDOC with 10 of those years suspended, followed by 5 years of post-release supervision, restitution in the amount of $72, 466.28, $5,000 in fines, and court costs in the amount of $1,894.50.

In addition, Rhodes pled guilty September 3, 2015 in federal court in Oxford, Ms.to mail fraud, and he is currently awaiting sentencing. His state sentence is expected to run concurrent to his federal sentence.

Danny Roy Peters, Alcorn County vendor, pled guilty to false representation to defraud the government. He received 5 years in the custody of the MDOC, placement in the MDOC intensive supervision program, followed by 4 years of post-release supervision, $5,000 in fines, and court costs in the amount of $631.50.

“It’s been a rewarding day for the Citizens of Corinth,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “District Attorney John Weddle and his staff, along with my office, did a tremendous job in bringing this matter to a close.”

District Attorney John Weddle said that, “Today’s events send a loud and clear message that the citizens of this District will no longer tolerate acts of corruption from the officials they place in positions of trust.”

One additional defendant is scheduled to appear before Circuit Judge Paul Funderburk at 9:00 tomorrow morning at the Alcorn County Justice Center.