JACKSON- State Auditor Stacey Pickering announced today that Natalie Brooke Ward, former deputy Chancery Clerk in Jones County, has plead guilty to embezzlement and was sentenced to 12 years, five years suspended, with seven years to serve in a Mississippi Department of Corrections facility.

Ward’s guilty plea follows an investigation into the missing funds from the Jones County Land Redemption account. It was determined by the State Auditor’s investigation that Ward did willfully divert funds for her personal use from the account beginning in November 2004 and lasting through January 2008. She was employed in the Chancery Clerk’s Office from August 1, 2002 – February 13, 2008, when she resigned as deputy Chancery Clerk.

Ward was also issued a demand from the State Auditor in the amount of $307,985.48 for funds missing from the Land Redemption Account and the Judge has ordered restitution for the embezzled funds. In addition to the principle amount, $218,024.59, the demanded amount includes $57,271.37 in interest calculated from the date the funds were taken and $32,689.52 in investigative costs incurred by the State Auditor’s Office, all totaling $307,985.48.

“I appreciate the effort of District Attorney Tony Buckley in presenting this case to the Jones County Grand Jury and his work on the plea agreement presented today,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “This case involved a large figure of embezzled funds and represents a commitment to holding individuals accountable for stealing taxpayer money.”

“Such a high plea was only attainable due to the excellent work of the auditor’s office,” said District Attorney Tony Buckley. “This sentence shows our commitment to prosecuting those who steal from public funds.”

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