JACKSON- After pleading guilty to embezzling more than $90,000 from Jones County Junior College, Tracy Laird, 40 of Ellisville, was sentenced on Wednesday to serve five years in prison and an additional five years post-release supervision.

The State Auditor’s Office investigated the case where Laird admitted to embezzling funds beginning in July 2007. The Auditor’s investigation started in February 2009. Laird was employed at JCJC from May 1999 – February 27, 2009.

“The college reported accounting violations to the State Auditor’s Office last spring after uncovering questionable activity by Tracy Laird,” according to a prepared statement by Jones County Junior College. “Laird was a bonded employee of the college who was terminated when college officials discovered the violations.”

Judge Landrum also ordered Laird to repay $110,429.46. Her payments must begin within 60 days of beginning her five year post-release supervision. The amount ordered in restitution represents the embezzled amount, $90,537.57, and an additional $18,870 in interest, costs of services performed during the investigation by a contracted CPA firm and additional investigative costs.

“Embezzlement of public funds continues to be an issue we are seeing across the state of Mississippi as our State continues to face a poor economy,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “I commend the leadership at Jones County Junior College for their efforts in uncovering this scheme to defraud the taxpayers of Mississippi and their proactive efforts to prevent this type situation from happening in the future. I also appreciate the support of District Attorney Tony Buckley in presenting this case and the efforts of the Court.”

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