A former Newton County 911 Dispatcher was arrested by special agents from State Auditor Shad White's office.
According to a press release, Shannon Taylor was charged with Embezzlement/Fraud in Public Office. She is accused of allegedly altering her timesheets after they were approved by her supervisor. Taylor was served with a $16,263.72 demand letter at the time of her arrest.
“Thank you to the investigators on my team and the prosecutors for putting a stop to this scheme,” said Auditor White. “As I have said, no matter the amount, my office will keep watch over your tax dollars.”
Taylor faces up to 10 years in prison and $5,000 in fines if convicted. All persons arrested by the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
District Attorney Steven Kilgore’s office will prosecute the case.
No surety bond covers Taylor’s employment at the Newton County Sheriff's Office. Surety bonds are similar to insurance designed to protect taxpayers from corruption.
