JACKSON- State Auditor Stacey Pickering announced today the arrest of Lavon D. Smith, 20, of Brookhaven. A special agent with the State Auditor’s Office along with the Brookhaven City Police arrested Smith in Brookhaven on Wednesday, May 16, 2012.

Smith is charged with one count of grand larceny as a result of the Auditor’s investigation. Additional unrelated charges were filed by the City of Brookhaven Police Department following the arrest.

Smith, a former maintenance employee with the Brookhaven School District, allegedly stole metal filing cabinets, desks and chairs belonging to the school district and sold them to a local salvage yard on May 4, 2012.

“At the State Auditor’s Office, we have a zero-tolerance policy for fraud in local and state government,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “Recently, the State Auditor’s Office has investigated several cases involving fraud at local school districts, and the recent arrests should serve as a warning that we are tough on crime, especially when funds are being taken away from our children and local schools.”

Lavon Smith was arrested and booked at the Lincoln County Jail and bond was set at $1500. The disposed equipment included items that could have been used by the school district as well as items intended for donation to a local government agency. Smith was terminated by the Brookhaven School District following the May 4 incident.

###

Attachment: Lavon Smith