JACKSON, Miss. — State Auditor Shad White announced that special agents from his office arrested Dana Jones, the former clerk for the City of Prentiss, on allegations she embezzled $469,031 in public funds while serving as city clerk.
Authorities allege Jones increased her pay by adding unauthorized paychecks and overtime, used city funds to make credit card payments on personal debt and drafted checks payable to herself that she deposited into her personal bank account, the auditor’s office said.
“Every dollar stolen from taxpayers is a dollar that could have gone to paving roads, paying our teachers and cops more, or to tax cuts,” said State Auditor Shad White. Jones faces up to $175,000 in fines and 205 years in prison if convicted. The auditor’s office said all persons arrested by the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Mississippi Office of the State Auditor investigates public-fund misuse and audits local governments. Suspected fraud can be reported on the auditor’s website using the red button or by calling 1-800-321-1275 during normal business hours. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
