Two former Coahoma Community College employees have been convicted of stealing more than $750,000 from the school.
State Auditor Shad White announced Monday afternoon that Gwendolyn Jefferson and Stacie Neal were each sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy and embezzlement. Neal had previously pleaded guilty to making fraudulent statements.
Both women were arrested in June 2019 after making over $750,000 of personal purchases while using Coahoma Community College credit cards and checks. Purchases included gift cards, shoes, watches, and a chandelier.
“The work done to hold these individuals accountable sends a message about the seriousness of stealing from the taxpayers,” White said. “If you steal from the people of Mississippi, there will be consequences.”
Jefferson and Neal were both ordered to repay hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution, in addition to $100,000 already returned to the community college.
