Multiple subjects that were part of four separate investigations at the State Auditor’s Office had their day in court today. Additionally, a former Office Manager for Clarksdale Public Utilities was arrested and served with a demand.
Essie Adams, former Deputy Clerk with the Tallahatchie County Tax Collector’s Office, pled guilty to 1 count of embezzlement and was sentenced to 5 years, suspended, with 18 months of supervised probation. Adams was arrested by OSA Special Agents and served with a demand in the amount of $4,338.45, in June of 2015, after it was discovered she was pocketing funds that were received as tax payments from property owners in Tallahatchie County. Restitution has been paid in full by Adams’ bonding company and returned to the Tallahatchie County Tax Collector’s Office.
Willie Alexander, former Transportation Director of the Shaw School District, pled guilty to 1 count of embezzlement and was sentenced to 2 years of probation, $1,000 fine, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,585.90. His sentence is non-adjudicated. Alexander was arrested and served with a demand in the amount of $4,142.82, in October after an investigation uncovered he was using the Shaw School District’s Fuelman card to purchase items such as food, beer, and cigarettes.
Maple Melton, former business office manager for Clarksdale Public Utilities, was arrested by OSA Special Agents and served with a demand in the amount of $3,871.92, after she was indicted on 9 counts of embezzlement by a Coahoma County Grand Jury. The investigation shows Melton transferred credits to her personal and friends’ utility accounts.
Greta Patterson, former Municipal Court Clerk for the City of McComb, pled guilty to a bill of information and was sentenced to 10 years, 8 years suspended, 2 to be served on house arrest, and 5 years of supervised probation. Patterson embezzled from the McComb Municipal Court by taking cash from daily collections and then manipulating the handwritten daily revenue report to match her daily bank deposit. The restitution portion of her sentencing will be continued February 4, 2016.
“This has been a busy, rewarding Monday,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “My office is continuing to clean up our State, and hold the individuals who embezzle money accountable for what they have done.”