Ex-MDHS employee charged with embezzlement
A Hinds County resident and former employee has been arrested for embezzlement following an investigation conducted by the Investigations Division of the Mississippi Department of Human Service (MDHS).
Investigators found that Lashanda Feazell, while Director of Procurement at MDHS, used the agency’s credit card to pay her personal cellular phone bills in the amount of $5,741.39 during the period of August 2018 through January 2021.
Based on the evidence obtained during the internal investigation, the matter was referred to the Hinds County District Attorney Office for criminal prosecution after terminating her employment. The Hinds County District Attorney secured an indictment on Dec. 14, 2021, and Feazell later turned herself into MDHS and Hinds County officials on Monday, Feb. 28.
“This investigation demonstrates the strengthened controls we have put in place to identify, investigate, and prosecute fraud, waste, and abuse at any level, by any individual,” MDHS Executive Director Robert G. “Bob” Anderson said.
Suspected fraud can be reported to MDHS online any time by submitting the MDHS Fraud Tip Form at https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/report-fraud/, calling the Fraud Tip Line at 1-(800)-299-6905, or email at fraud@mdhs.ms.gov.
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