JACKSON- State Auditor Stacey Pickering announced today that a Lincoln County Grand Jury has re-indicted Terry Lynn Watkins for embezzlement after a previous indictment was dismissed.

Watkins, Lincoln County Circuit Clerk, is charged with embezzling funds from the county by transferring funds from one county account into her Operating Account.

Watkins, 57, of Brookhaven, was served the 14-count indictment today, February 15, 2011. The indictments allege Watkins embezzled funds between May 2004 and April 2006. Watkins failed to turn over funds belonging to the county and unlawfully withdrew funds from county criminal and civil accounts and used them for personal expenses in the circuit clerk’s office.

“As with any case, our agents work very closely with the District Attorney and provide documentation and evidence discovered during our investigation to the DA. We put together a strong case, and I appreciate the work of the District Attorney for bringing this case before the Grand Jury on two occasions,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “It is imperative that we hold elected officials and public employees accountable for their actions. This is an obligation placed on the investigative and prosecutorial agencies by the taxpayers of Mississippi, and I appreciate DA Dee Bates for his diligence.”

The State Auditor’s Office issued a civil demand against Terry Lynn Watkins on January 19, 2011, in the amount of $98,083.58, which includes interest and investigative costs. The State Auditor alleges Watkins used $58,298 from circuit court accounts to cover her personal expenses in the Circuit Clerk’s Office, of which she was not entitled.

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Attachment: Terry Lynn Watkins