More than $71K recovered from former Yazoo Co. official | News

YAZOO COUNTY, MS (WLBT) - State Auditor Stacey Pickering announced Wednesday that more than $71,000 was recovered for taxpayers in Yazoo County.

A routine state audit in Yazoo County in 2007 led to an investigation by the State Auditor's Investigations Division into a fee cap violation by the then Chancery Clerk Noreene Girard.

According to a news release from Pickering, records showed that in 2007 Girard received excessive compensation that exceeded the state's fee cap by $115,963. Girard initially repaid $49,500 leaving a remaining balance of more than $66,000.

A demand was issued against Girard in early 2009 for the remaining balance, but the case was halted when Girard filed for bankruptcy. However, the court threw out the bankruptcy case after receiving among other evidence Girard was in the middle of a home remodel, according to Lisa Shoemaker with the State Auditor's office.

Shoemaker said this type of violation is found pretty regulary, but this case was on the "larger scale."

State Auditor Stacey Pickering said in a statement:

“Auditors in the County Audit Division discovered this violation during a routine audit. This case should serve as a reminder to all elected officials that are paid through the fee system that there are laws that govern how fees are collected and used, and the State Auditor’s Technical Assistance Division is available to help with any questions to ensure you are using that system properly. Auditors are trained to look for violations such as exceeding the fee cap, and no one is above the law.”

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