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Jackson Co. employee arrested for embezzlement

By WLOX Staff

PASCAGOULA, MS (WLOX) - Jackson County began an internal investigation into an alleged misappropriation of County funds Friday morning. The entire amount is still to be determined. The investigation is centered on the county Finance Department.

Ginger Lynn Lashley, 49, of St. Andrews, was arrested Friday and charged with embezzlement. She is being held at the Jackson County Adult Detention Center pending an initial appearance in county court.

The investigation was initially handled by the Sheriff's Department and then turned over to state authorities. The focus is now being expanded to determine exactly how these funds were misappropriated.

"We are pursuing this matter fully," Manly Barton, 2009 Board of Supervisors President, said. "We have several financial checks and balances in place, nonetheless this situation did occur. We are going to take all the appropriate steps to keep this from happening again. As public servants, our first responsibility is to be good stewards of the taxpayer's money."

The State Auditor's Office has been called in to assist with the investigation. 

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