Auditor: Ex-Crimestoppers board member embezzled thousands meant to keep communities safe from criminals
Published 12:43 pm Tuesday, January 12, 2021
A former board member of a Mississippi Crimestoppers’ group has been arrested following her indictment for embezzlement.
State Auditor Shad White, in a news release Tuesday, said Michelle McBride surrendered Monday to special agents from his office at the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office. Her bond was set at $20,000. It was unknown if she has an attorney who could speak on her behalf.
McBride allegedly used her position as Secretary/Treasurer of the Pearl River County Crimestoppers to embezzle over $52,000 from January 2014 to April 2019. Investigators believe McBride used the group’s debit card for personal rodeo expenses and transferred PRCCS funds to fraudulent non-profit accounts she owned.
“It is disheartening to see money intended to make our communities safer instead go to someone for their personal benefit, but I am grateful for the work of our investigators and the help of the district attorney’s office in putting a stop to it. We will no longer tolerate this kind of theft in Mississippi,” White said.
In addition, he said an $82,416 demand letter was issued to McBride when she was arrested.
If convicted, McBride faces up to 25 years in prison and $15,000 in fines.