JACKSON- In two separate cases of embezzlement investigated by the State Auditor’s Office, Michelle Sharpley, 34, former municipal court clerk of Taylorsville; and Bridget Lark, 36, former deputy circuit clerk of Tate County; have entered a plea of guilty on the charge of embezzlement.

Sharpley pled guilty to embezzling $6,041.63 during a nine-month period from the Town of Taylorsville Utility District. She was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $6,452.77 to the Town and $3,226.39 to the State Auditor’s Office for investigative costs. She was also ordered to pay $340.50 in court costs and assessments. Sharpley received five years probation.

Bridget Lark pled guilty to embezzling $5,223 by not depositing or receipting funds from the marriage license fees paid to the county. She was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $5,223 to Tate County and pay $2,406 to the State Auditor’s Office for investigative costs. She must also pay of a fine of $500, a payment of $100 to the Crime Victim’s Compensation Fund and $461.74 in court costs and assessments. Lark has already paid $950 towards her restitution to Tate County. The Court withheld acceptance of the plea for five years.

“As we continue to face tough economic times across Mississippi, it remains very important for our local governments and state agencies to hold its employees to the highest level of accountability,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “Services provided by local and state government are becoming more difficult to provide due to reduced tax revenue. It is our job as stewards of tax dollars to ensure that all that is collected goes to fund essential services.

“These two cases represent over $18,000 due back to local and state government because of the illegal activity of government employees, and this type of criminal behavior will not be tolerated by the taxpayers of Mississippi.”

###