A former deputy clerk for the Lawrence County Tax Collector’s Office has been arrested and charged with embezzlement and computer fraud.
Hollie Summers was taken into custody by special agents from the state auditor’s office after allegedly reversing transactions for vehicle registration and renewals.
Summers, who was employed by the tax collector’s office from August 2017 to March 2022, was served with a $48,885.37 demand letter at the time of her arrest.
She currently faces up to 40 years in prison and $15,000 in fines if convicted of her charges.
“There is zero tolerance for theft of public funds in Mississippi,” State Auditor Shad White said. “For anyone else stealing out there, you should know that we are watching. Thank you to Lawrence County Tax Collector Sherry Hyde-Thames for reporting Summers as soon as she was aware of her alleged crimes.”
A $50,000 surety bond covers Summers’ employment as the Lawrence County Tax Collector deputy clerk. Summers will remain liable for the full amount of the demand in addition to criminal proceedings.
