JACKSON, Miss. — State Auditor Shad White announced that Special Agents from his office have arrested Deborah Harper, the former office manager for the Southeast Greene Water Authority, on allegations she embezzled authority funds for personal use.
According to the Auditor’s Office, Harper allegedly received cash payments from new-customer water agreement forms and converted those funds for her own use. The office also alleges she used water payments from other account holders to satisfy water debts for both herself and her daughter.
“The dedicated team at the State Auditor’s Office will continue to work closely with prosecutors to get record results, one case at a time,” State Auditor Shad White said.
Harper faces up to $25,000 in fines and up to 10 years in prison if convicted. The Auditor’s Office statement noted that all persons arrested by the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law and provided a tip line for suspected fraud: the red button on the Auditor’s website or 1-(800) 321-1275 during normal business hours.
The Southeast Greene Water Authority is a local utility that provides water services to residents in Greene County, Mississippi. This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.
