The Starkville Police Department charged a former Starkville Electric Department employee with embezzlement Wednesday after an investigation was launched into an alleged re-occurring act.
Elizabeth Peacock, 50, of 5065 Crawford Road, was charged with one count after she turned herself in to police officers. She was processed and released on a $5,000 bond.
Her initial appearance in Starkville Municipal Court is scheduled for Nov. 3.
A police representative declined to release how much money was allegedly taken from the city’s public utility company.
Randy Boyd, Starkville’s human resources director, confirmed Peacock was no longer employed by the city as of Wednesday. Citing personnel matters, he declined to say whether she quit ahead of the charges or was fired after they were levied.
“It’s premature for the city to comment on this matter as SPD continues looking into the incident,” said Taylor Adams, Starkville’s chief administrative officer.
A call to SED General Manager Terry Kemp went unreturned Wednesday.
Last year, an employee within the city clerk’s office resigned after an internal investigation tied her to embezzlement.
The Dispatch also learned of a separate investigation into financial wrongdoing stemming from the city’s municipal court last year, but details of that inquiry were not released.
At that same time, Starkville aldermen demanded former municipal clerk Debra Wood resign her position or face termination from the job.
Wood was not charged with a crime.
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