Auditor announces another guilty plea with Operation Payback

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — State Auditor Shad White announced that Benjamin Coleman has pleaded guilty to one count of Fraudulent Statements and Representations.

Coleman submitted fraudulent weekly certification sheets to obtain unemployment funds from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.

“My office will continue to drop the hammer on criminals who can be identified and recover as much misspent taxpayer dollars as possible,” said State Auditor Shad White.

Coleman was sentenced by the Forrest County Circuit Court to 3 years of Pre-Trial Diversion Program and ordered to pay a total of $2,824 in restitution and $175 in fines.

Suspected fraud can be reported to the Auditor’s office at any time by clicking the red button at www.osa.ms.gov or calling 1-(800) 321-1275 during normal business hours.