STARKVILLE — The former training officer for Starkville Fire Department is charged with felony embezzlement, according to a police press release issued Wednesday.
Clarence Parks, 45, turned himself in Monday to police on an embezzlement warrant for fraud committed while he was working at the fire department. Police began investigating after receiving complaints from inside and outside SFD, the press release said.
SPD Public Information Officer Brandon Lovelady declined to comment on the amount embezzled or the time frame over which the alleged embezzlement took place. Mayor Lynn Spruill confirmed Parks had been employed with the fire department for about two years and resigned prior to the board of aldermen’s May 3 meeting.
Lovelady said the embezzlement appears to be an isolated incident and no other arrests are expected.
Parks was released shortly after his arrest after posting $5,000 bond.
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
