JACKSON- State Auditor Stacey Pickering announced today Tammy Gomillion, Neshoba County Payroll Clerk; Julie Faye Russell, Neshoba County Purchasing Clerk; and, Jill Watkins, Neshoba County Comptroller; were issued demands totaling more than $1.3 million dollars.

Gomillion, Russell, and Watkins fraudulently submitted approximately 30,000 overtime hours over the past 6 years. The three salaried employees did not actually work the overtime hours submitted for payment nor did they receive proper approval to work overtime as stated in the county personnel handbook.

Gomillion was issued a demand in the amount of $444,834.56, which includes $349,011.66 in principal, $91,908.84 in interest, and $3,914.06 in investigative costs. Russell was issued a demand in the amount of $449,130.47, which includes $351,872.03 in principal, $92,393.30 in interest, and $4,865.14 in investigative costs. Watkins was issued a demand in the amount of $459,630.65, which includes $356,624.67 in principal, $98,744.41 in interest, and $4,261.57 in investigative costs.

“These individuals took advantage of the taxpayers of Neshoba County and created a scheme to defraud the local taxpayers of over $1 million,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “These individuals’ employment has already been terminated by the County, and the State Auditor’s Office will work to recover these funds through restitution and their bond to make Neshoba County whole as quickly as possible.”

The State Auditor’s Office is currently working closely with the District Attorney’s Office regarding an additional civil target and any possible criminal prosecution. Gomillion, Russell, and Watkins were terminated from the county in 2014. Demands were served on the individuals on June 26, 2015.