Benton County Tax Collector pleads guilty to embezzlement

JACKSON, Miss. (VDN) — State Auditor Shad White announced that Shannon Wilburn, former Benton County tax collector, has pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement.

Wilburn took more than $300,000 in daily collections paid to the Benton County Tax Collector’s Office for his own personal use.

“The dedicated team at the State Auditor’s Office has a zero-tolerance policy for fraud, and we will continue to work with prosecutors to get record results,” White said.

Wilburn was prosecuted in Benton County Circuit Court. He was sentenced to 10 years, with nine years suspended and one year of house arrest, followed by five years of post-release supervision. He has been ordered to pay $158,096 in restitution.

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 800-321-1275 during normal business hours.