Former Natchez employee pleads guilty to embezzlement
JACKSON, Miss. — Rebekah Turner, a former accounts receivable clerk for the City of Natchez, pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement, State Auditor Shad White announced.
White said Turner took cash from deposits made to her office by other city departments and converted that money to her own use. The State Auditor’s Office identified the irregularities as part of its oversight of local government finances, White said.
The 6th District Circuit Court sentenced Turner to 20 years, with 19 years suspended, and ordered five years of probation. She was also ordered to pay $5,000 in fines plus court costs and fees.
“The State Auditor’s Office has a zero-tolerance policy for theft of taxpayer dollars,” White said. “We will continue to work with prosecutors across the state to deliver results for taxpayers.” The Auditor’s Office encourages the public to report suspected fraud by clicking the red button on its website or by calling 1-800-321-1275 during normal business hours.
Natchez is a city in Mississippi that, like other municipalities, relies on internal controls and audits to protect public funds. This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.
