State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement.
Today State Auditor Shad White announced Special Agents from his office have arrested Tiffany Loftin, a former deputy tax collector in Rankin County. She was indicted for embezzlement by a local grand jury. An $11,519.73 demand letter – including interest and investigative expenses – was presented to her upon arrest.
Loftin is accused of embezzling money from Rankin County residents as they paid cash for county trash collection fees. She purportedly manipulated accounting software in an attempt to conceal her embezzlement scheme. During the investigation, security camera footage from the tax collector’s office captured Loftin stuffing recently-collected cash into her pants.
Rankin County Tax Collector Caroline Gilbert reported Loftin to law enforcement. Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey’s office assisted the investigation.
“We will continue to protect your hard-earned tax dollars on all cases, big and small, around the state,” said Auditor White. “My position is that there will be zero tolerance for theft of taxpayer funds.”
Loftin surrendered herself to authorities in Rankin County today. Bail will be set by the court.
If convicted, Loftin faces up to 20 years in prison or $5,000 in fines. All persons arrested by the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The case will be prosecuted by the office of District Attorney John Bramlett.
A $50,000 surety bond covers Loftin’s employment as an employee of the Rankin County Tax Collector’s office. Surety bonds are similar to insurance designed to protect taxpayers from corruption. Loftin 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 any time by clicking the red button at www.osa.ms.gov or via telephone during normal business hours at 1-(800)-321-1275.
17 comments:
Shad White Scores again.
I beginning to think these crooks are beginning to get wind of committing the crime and they will do time.
You'd think that folks might, just might, think twice about doing this, But.................
It never stops
And the count at days end didn't catch this ? Sooooo, who else is skimming Rankin County tax payers ? Lol, she isn't elected or appointed. ARPA funds were handed out to every county and yes, they are federal funds but that doesn't mean they are safe from "the skim". Hows about a little look see ?
The surety companies are going to stop writing bonds in Mississippi or they are going to up the premium. Hide & watch.
Caught on camera stuffing money into her britches. Bwa, ha, ha. A Rankin brain trust.
Jackson please!!!!
There's never in the past 40 years been a man hired to work these municipal and county windows and accept cash transfer payments, anywhere in this state. Are we seeing a trend?
Shad gets another congratulations.
But - it is because the Tax Assessor caught the crime and turned it in to him. All he had to do was bring in auditors to see how much money was stolen, add interest and his fees.
And, of course, take credit for it.
Guess this time he will do like he did in the DHS scandal - whoever the Tax Assessor told (probably the attorney) called Shad, and he was named the whistleblower. Remember how he said the Governor was the whistleblower when in fact someone from DHS called the 19th floor of Sillers and told them that their guy was screwing the pooch.
But gotta protect the protector, so gave him the credit rather than investigated for his involvement.
But whatever - glad the idiot in the office that stuffed her pants in front of the security cameras.
A tax collector agent stuffing a few dollars is not nearly as bad as the nasty attitudes most of them have. It's like the ones on Lakeland Drive are in competition with the ones at the courthouse in Brandon have a nasty meter running to see who can win.
Is it safer to crotch that cash or to stash it in your brallet? I'm asking for a friend, cause I don't personally do either!
Stupid. And for such a small amount of cash.
"...not nearly as bad as the nasty attitudes most of them have. It's like the ones on Lakeland Drive are in competition with the ones at the courthouse in Brandon have a nasty meter running to see who can win."
If you wanta see nasty...visit the Madison/Ridgeland branch of the Madison County Tax Collector's office (tags). Ask for or look to see the feisty broad who thinks she's Hitler. We aren't the customer...THEY are.
And what's that we say about the blame going all the way to the top?
Shad for Governor! Then, after 8 years, Senator! (Unless he sells out in the interim.)
Yes sir Shad White puts the fear of god into criminals statewide. Except the criminals in Jackson.
3:45 don’t leave out the canton crime syndicate.
"3:45 don’t leave out the canton crime syndicate."
Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Luther? Errybaddy tip-toe around Canton. They Fred of me!
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