JACKSON- State Auditor Stacey Pickering announced today that Margaret Cooper, former director of Crime Stoppers, an entity under the Department of Public Safety, has pled guilty to embezzlement.

Cooper was the director of the Advisory Council of Mississippi Crime Stoppers from July 1, 1998 – January 27, 2006, when she was terminated from the Department of Public Safety. Cooper began two years in the Pre-Trial Intervention Program on April 13, 2010 which will result in non-adjudication once she completes the program. Cooper repaid the $2,400.89, the principle of the funds embezzled, at the time of her plea; however a remaining $2,696.34 is outstanding and accounts for investigative costs and the interest on the funds embezzled. The State Auditor’s Office will continue to pursue recovery of the remaining $2,696.34.

“The deal made with Margaret Cooper does not represent the punishment I hoped to see,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “Crime Stoppers is an integral part of our law enforcement community in Mississippi, and Margaret Cooper betrayed the public trust by using Crime Stopper funds to pay for movie theater tickets, visits to the hair salon and veterinary hospital and several other personal purchases. The District Attorney’s Office in Hinds County had an excellent opportunity to make a statement and set the stage for others who may consider embezzling taxpayer funds. The actions taken in this case are a disgrace to the hundreds of Crime Stoppers across Mississippi that work diligently in supporting Mississippi’s law enforcement efforts.”

The embezzlement took place from 2004 – 2006. Cooper has repaid $2,400.89 to date. The investigation began in September 2006 and concluded in 2009 prior to being presented to the grand jury by the district attorney.

The Crime Stoppers Advisory Council was created to advise and assist in the creation of local Crime Stopper programs across the state.

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