JACKSON- State Auditor Stacey Pickering announced today that former Walthall County Deputy Chancery Clerk Kristy Laird has pled guilty to one count of embezzlement.

From March 2011 through April 2013, Laird embezzled $15,531.07. Laird converted money in the Coalition for a Healthy Adolescent Programs and Services (CHAPS) checking account into her personal use. She also failed to deposit monies received by her for payment of fines and other fees handed down by the Youth Court Referee.

Laird’s sentence was non-adjudicated to five years suspended and two years’ probation. She paid restitution totaling $14,475.64 on September 24, 2013. She had previously paid back $10,577.22 for a total of $25,052.86 including accrued interest and investigative costs.

“I applaud our Investigators for their work on this case,” State Auditor Stacey Pickering said. “However, because Ms. Laird received a non-adjudicated sentence her record will be wiped clean after serving her probation. Unfortunately Senate Bill 2625 does not apply to her case and she would not be prohibited from working for a government agency in Mississippi again.”

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