JACKSON- Phillip Sterling, former court clerk for the Town of Wesson, has been sentenced after pleading guilty to a charge of embezzlement.

Sterling, 47, was sentenced to six years probation with first year served under house arrest and was ordered to pay $10,000 restitution.

Following a thorough investigation by the State Auditor’s Office, Sterling, a former clerk from 2006-2007, was indicted on the charge of embezzlement. He pled guilty to receiving payments for court fines and converting them to personal use.

“I am proud to serve as a watchdog on behalf of the taxpayers of Mississippi,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “As with any of our cases, I am disappointed in the abuse of power by this government employee and remain committed to investigating these cases thoroughly and assisting in bringing justice in cases where government employees are found guilty.”

The State Auditor’s Office seeks to recover $9,851 in principal; $1,410.04 in interest; and $6,191.44 in investigative costs, bringing the total embezzlement to $17,452.48.

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