State Auditor Shad White has announced that Special Agents from his office arrested Newton County Supervisor Glenn Hollingsworth after he was indicted for fraudulently obtaining public funds by a grand jury assembled by District Attorney for the 8th District Steven S. Kilgore. A demand letter worth $7,984.02 was issued to Hollingsworth at the time of his arrest. The total demand amount includes accrued interest and the cost of the investigation.
Hollingsworth is accused of fraudulently obtaining $25,000 by using his position to sell his personally-owned tractor to his beat in the county. He purportedly attempted to conceal the purchase by using family members to complete the transaction. Since Newton County still uses the beat system, Hollingsworth was able to closely manage expenditures like the purchase of the tractor, and his actions were reported when someone noticed purchasing inconsistencies in his beat.
The demand letter was issued to Hollingsworth because he was unable to account for a number of items purchased in his beat. It is not related to the criminal charges against him.
“Officials should not and cannot use their elected positions to enrich themselves in this way,” said Auditor White. “Credit goes to our investigators for identifying this scheme and making this arrest today.”
Hollingsworth surrendered to Special Agents at the Newton County Jail. He was released from custody after posting a $5,000 bond.
If convicted, Hollingsworth faces up to 5 years in the state penitentiary and $1,000 in fines. All persons arrested by the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The case will be prosecuted by the office of District Attorney Kilgore.
A $100,000 surety bond covers Hollingsworth’s term as supervisor. A surety bond is similar to insurance designed to protect taxpayers from corruption. He will remain liable for the full amount of the demand in addition to criminal proceedings. If convicted, Hollingsworth will no longer be able to hold public office.
Suspected fraud can be reported to the Auditor’s office online any time by clicking the red button at www.osa.ms.gov or via telephone during normal business hours at 1-(800)-321-1275.
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