The State Auditor’s Office has recovered almost $243,000 for the city of Columbus following the arrest of former Chief Financial Officer Milton Rawle earlier this year, according to a SAO press release.
Rawle, who worked for the city between 2013 and 2019, was indicted in June for alleged embezzlement of almost $290,000 in city funds between 2016 and 2018. The Auditor’s Office has recovered $242,951.13 for the city, though city officials said they had not yet received the money.
City Public Information Officer Joe Dillon and an SAO spokesperson said the city contracts with a bonding company that paid the money to the Auditor’s Office, which then returned the funds to the city. The bonding company then has the opportunity to sue Rawle in civil court to get the money back on their end.
The spokesperson said the city may recover more money later through other means, including fines and court orders if Rawle is convicted.
Rawle’s case is pending in Lowndes County Circuit Court. He has been released from custody on $65,000 bond.
Conflict disclosure: Managing Editor Zack Plair took part in editing this article. He is currently involved in legal proceedings with the city of Columbus.
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