JACKSON, Miss. — The Mississippi State Auditor’s Office announced the arrest of Dana Jones, the former Prentiss city clerk, on charges of embezzling public funds. Special agents allege Jones took $469,031 for personal use during her tenure.
Authorities say Jones added unauthorized paychecks and overtime payments to her salary, used city funds to pay credit card debts, and drafted checks payable to herself, depositing them into her personal bank accounts.
State Auditor Shad White criticized the alleged thefts, emphasizing that stolen taxpayer money could be used for roads, education, or public safety. White stated, “Every dollar stolen from taxpayers is a dollar that could have gone to paving roads, paying our teachers and cops more, or to tax cuts.”
If convicted, Jones faces up to $175,000 in fines and 205 years in prison, authorities said. All arrests by the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Suspected fraud can be reported through the auditor’s website or by calling 1-800-321-1275 during business hours.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
