JACKSON- State Auditor Stacey Pickering announced that Seleta Howell, former accounts receivable specialist with Northeast Mississippi Community College, has been indicted on five counts of embezzlement.

Howell, 42, worked in the college business office from November 2001 – September 2006. The embezzlement took place from August 2004 – September 2006 totaling nearly $60,000. Howell has repaid $6,500 of the unaccounted funds.

In December 2008, Howell was processed by the Prentiss County Sheriff’s Office. In addition to the indictment, she was served with a demand for $76,607.41 from the State Auditor’s Office. The demand includes $52,754.44 (principal); $17,757.77 (interest); and $6,095.20 (investigative costs).

“Employees in local and state government are held to a high standard of accountability by the taxpayers of Mississippi,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “This case involves nearly $60,000 in funds embezzled from Northeast Community College. I appreciate the work of District Attorney John Young for bringing this case before the Grand Jury and holding this individual accountable for her actions.”

Howell will make an appearance in Circuit Court in Prentiss County on January 7, 2009.

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