Former Mississippi Court Clerk Sentenced For Embezzling $100+K

Terry Ann Swatsenberg, 46, of Southaven, Mississippi, was sentenced yesterday to 30 months in prison for embezzling more than $100,000 from the municipality for whom she had been employed as a Court Clerk. According to prosecutors, Swatsenberg, who was responsible for processing court fines and bond deposits which were often paid in cash, began taking funds for her own benefit on July 1, 2007. Her scheme reportedly lasted a year over which time she misappropriated a total of $109,000, according to authorities. Swatsenberg had been employed by the municipality since 1996. According to the audit report, “substantial and significant internal control weaknesses” existed in the court department - something the city has moved to change. As part of her sentence, Swatsenberg was ordered to pay $47,000 in restitution, which only covers the cost of the investigation and prosecution. However, the city's insurance carrier claims the total loss was more like $250,000.

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