Brooksville Mayor, former City Clerk arrested in State Auditor’s embezzlement case

JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi State Auditor Shad White announced Thursday that Brooksville Mayor Earlie Henley and former City Clerk Shaquita Malone have been arrested on embezzlement charges following an investigation by the Auditor’s Office.

According to investigators, Henley is accused of drafting checks payable to himself without the required co-signature and using withdrawal slips to pocket cash from the city’s accounts. Malone allegedly manipulated the city’s payroll system by entering herself as an hourly employee instead of a salaried one, later raising her hourly rate to collect funds she was not authorized to receive.

Agents also reported that Malone is a convicted felon, making her ineligible to serve as city clerk.

“We will continue to hold public officials who break the public’s trust accountable at every level,” White said. “Thank you to the prosecutors who took our investigation and to the men and women of the Auditor’s Office for their tireless work.”

If convicted, both Henley and Malone face fines of up to $5,000 and up to 20 years in prison. The Auditor’s Office emphasized that all persons arrested are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The public can report suspected fraud to the State Auditor’s Office at www.osa.ms.gov or by calling 1-800-321-1275 during business hours.