New details have emerged regarding accusations of embezzlement against a city employee.
According to court documents provided to the Starkville Daily News through a public records request, 61-year-old Dianne Evans is accused of embezzling $2,000 by virtue of her employment with the city of Starkville Parks and Recreation Department, where she was employed as an administrative assistant.
Evans - who had been placed on unpaid administrative leave by the Board of Aldermen in December - turned herself in to the Starkville Police Department on Dec. 29 after a felony warrant was issued regarding the embezzlement.
City officials also placed Parks and Recreation director Herman Peters on unpaid administrative leave along with Evans, but it is unclear at this point if it relates to the charges levied against Evans.
City of Starkville Human Resources Director Navarrete Ashford told the Starkville Daily News Evans resigned from her position last week.
Ashford confirmed that Peters is still on unpaid administrative leave as of the publication of this story.
While details are scarce, Ashford said the embezzlement accusations “had something to do with” the punitive actions taken by the Board of Alderman against Evans at its last meeting.
Evans was released after bond was set at $2,500 and is scheduled to appear in Starkville Municipal Court on Feb. 5 at 6 p.m.
If found guilty of embezzlement, Evans could face a fine up to $5,000 and up to five years in prison.
The Starkville Police Department is still actively investigating the incident.
This is a developing story, follow the Starkville Daily News for updates.