JACKSON- Auditor Stacey Pickering is supporting Senate Bill 2625, which would revise the punishment for embezzlement by public officers and employees.
This bill would prevent public officials from receiving non-adjudicated sentences for embezzlement of public funds. On too many occasions, our Office has investigated public officials who either pled guilty or were found guilty of embezzlement of taxpayer funds only to receive a slap on the wrist when they received their sentence.
In the latest example, former Indianola Municipal Court Deputy Clerk Tina Parker pled guilty to stealing more than $51,000 but she will not serve any time. Her record will then be wiped clean. We don’t believe this should not be happening.
If a public official steals money from taxpayers, they should not be able to walk away without jail time or a record. That record should follow them the rest of their lives. That is why Senate Bill 2625 is so important.
It is currently sitting on the House calendar and faces Wednesday’s deadline for floor action to keep it alive.
Please contact your legislator and ask them to support S.B. 2625. You can find the contact information for your legislator here.
Updated: Legislation without the non-adjudication language has passed both the House and Senate. Under the Conference Report that legislators adopted, the government will be restricted from hiring public officials who have been found guilty of embezzlement of taxpayer funds.
Additional Information:
- Geoff Pender: Corrupt officials still get off easy
- Senator Longwitz Authors Bill to Curb Public Corruption
- Track the legislation here
- Graphic: Support Senate Bill 2625
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