JACKSON, Miss.–It’s a year in prison for David Kweller, a former employee in the Professional Licensure Division of the Mississippi Department of Health. State Auditor Stacey Pickering said Tuesday that Kweller kept over $23,000 for himself that was supposed to go to paying for those licenses.
The embezzlement happened from 2010 through 2012. Kweller had a criminal past, a felony conviction in 1990. But, he worked for the department for more than 20 years with no noticeable trouble until an internal audit showed up the missing money. Then the matter went to Pickering.
Pickering said Kweller will also have to pay back the $23,000, plus interest and the cost of the investigation, totaling $42,000.
He is also never allowed to work in government in Mississippi again, under a new state law.
“Mr. Kweller was a state employee who was stealing from the taxpayers, and we are pleased that this case has been resolved,” said Pickering. “Once again, we are seeing Senate Bill 2625 take effect since Mr. Kweller is now prohibited from working for any governmental agency in Mississippi again.”
“I am extremely pleased at this news from the State Auditor’s Office. Rep. Dennis DeBar and I worked very closely with the leadership to get this law passed, and I am glad Stacey and his team are using it to protect taxpayers,” said Sen. Wil Longwitz.
