JACKSON – The former bookkeeper for the Covington County Sheriff’s Department was sentenced to 10 years for embezzling more than $77,000 from her employer. State Auditor Stacey Pickering said from January 2008 to April 2009, Winnie Hathorne embezzled money from the sheriff’s office by taking cash receipts.
Hathorne pled guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 10 years with the Mississippi Department of Corrections. She will serve three years on house arrest.
Hathorne was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $77,847.
Earlier this month, Pickering presented Covington County Sheriff Ben Ford a check for $25,000, money recovered from Hathorne’s bond.
“Sheriff Ford and deputies with the Covington County Sheriff’s Department were very helpful in this case and assisted the State Auditor’s Office with the arrest,” said Pickering. “By working together, we have been able to protect the reputation and interest of the Covington County taxpayers.”
“I accept the check on behalf of Covington County, and I am grateful to State Auditor Stacey Pickering and his staff for recovering our loss,” said Sheriff Ford.
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