Auditor’s office arrests former Jasper County Employee

JACKSON, Miss. (VDN) — State Auditor Shad White announced Thursday that special agents from his office have arrested Lacorsha Ellis, a former Jasper County Solid Waste Department employee, for allegedly embezzling more than $11,000 in public funds.

Ellis is accused of taking $11,181 in cash from solid waste transactions and using the money for personal expenses instead of depositing it into the Jasper County District One Solid Waste account.

“We will continue to hold the line when it comes to improper spending of taxpayer dollars,” White said. “We will continue to send a message that we have zero tolerance for theft of public funds.”

If convicted, Ellis faces up to 20 years in prison and $5,000 in fines. All persons arrested by the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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