A former water authority office manager in Greene County is behind bars on embezzlement charges, according to the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor.
The OSA announced Monday its agents arrested Deborah Harper, who previously served as office manager for the Southeast Greene Water Authority. Officials allege Harper embezzled funds belonging to the utility for her personal use.
Harper allegedly kept cash payments collected from new customer water account agreements for herself. She is also accused of using payments from other water users to cover outstanding balances on accounts tied to herself and her daughter.
The Southeast Greene Water Authority is a public utility organization in Lucedale and serves residents and customers within Greene County.
If convicted, Harper faces up to $25,000 in fines and as many as 10 years in prison.