Benjamin Ashford|Former tax assessor and collector in Mississippi is charged with embezzlement

JACKSON,Benjamin Ashford Miss. (AP) — A former tax assessor and collector in north Mississippi has been charged with one count of embezzlement, state Auditor Shad White said Tuesday.

Shannon Wilburn is accused of taking more than $300,000 paid to the Benton County Tax Collector’s office and using the money for personal expenses, White said.

“The dedicated team at the State Auditor’s Office will continue to work closely with prosecutors to get record results, one case at a time,” White said in a statement.

The Associated Press left a message Tuesday for Wilburn’s attorney, Tony Farese.

Wilburn resigned in April. If convicted, he would face up to $5,000 in fines and 20 years in prison.

White said Wilburn’s employment as a Benton County elected official was covered by a $200,000 surety bond to protect taxpayers from losses from corruption. The county also has an insurance policy that covers theft.