Shad White gets another one – Former Mayor of Beulah, Bertha Thomas, Guilty of Embezzlement

State Auditor Shad White announced that Bertha Thomas, the former mayor of Beulah, had pled guilty to embezzlement. Bertha was arrested by agents in February of 2024 and served with a $12,573.42 demand letter.

Thomas is guilty of embezzling tax disbursements the Bolivar County Tax Collector issued to the town.

“Thank you to the investigators who worked this case and the prosecutors who chose to bring charges,” said Auditor White. “Working together with prosecutors, my office has recovered more money for the taxpayers in the last five years than any other five-year period, and we stay true to our most fundamental promise: zero tolerance for theft of taxpayer money.”

The Bolivar County Circuit Court sentenced Thomas. Thomas’ sentencing order has been filed with the Bolivar County Circuit Clerk’s office for public inspection.

A $10,000 surety bond covered Thomas’ employment as the Beulah City Mayor. Surety bonds are similar to insurance designed to protect taxpayers from corruption. Thomas will remain liable for the full demand in addition to criminal proceedings.