JACKSON-State Auditor Stacey Pickering announced today that Essie Adams, former Deputy Clerk with the Tallahatchie County Tax Collector’s Office, has been indicted by a Tallahatchie County Grand Jury on one count of embezzlement.

Adams surrendered herself to Special Agents of the Auditor’s Office and was arrested today and booked into the Tallahatchie County Jail.

Adams, 42, is accused of pocketing funds that were received as tax payments from property owners in Tallahatchie County.

“This is a classic case of an employee stealing money from hardworking taxpayers, and Adams will be held accountable for her actions,” Auditor Pickering said.

Adams originally embezzled $19,245.91 but repaid $18,108.00 after she was confronted with the embezzlement. A formal demand totaling $4,338.45 was also served to Adams which included the outstanding portion of the embezzled funds, interest and costs.

She was employed for 11 years at the Tallahatchie County Tax Collector’s Office prior to her termination.