Former Mississippi State Hospital employee charged with timecard fraud

Today State Auditor Shad White announced the arrest of a Support Care Professional at the Mississippi State Hospital.

Roger Lofton is accused of falsifying his timesheets, and was served with a $2,671.75 demand letter, according to a release from White’s office.

“Thank you to the investigators and prosecutors who worked this case,” said White. “We will continue to pursue losses to the taxpayers, both big and small.”

Lofton faces up to five years and $10,000 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 Bubba Bramlett’s office will prosecute the case.

No surety bond covers Lofton’s employment at the Mississippi State Hospital. Surety bonds are similar to insurance designed to protect taxpayers from corruption. Lofton will remain liable for the full amount of the demand in addition to criminal proceedings.

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