A Mississippi probation officer has been arrested and is accused of embezzling thousands of dollars in court-ordered fines and fees from those on probation.

On Tuesday, Mississippi State Auditor Shad White announced that Special Agents from his office have arrested Lacosta Lee, a contracted probation officer for Court Programs, Inc (CPI), on seven counts of embezzlement.

Lee is accused of receiving court ordered fines and fees from those on probation and embezzling those funds for her own personal use. Lee was served with a $7,558.50 demand letter at the time of her arrest.

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

Lee faces up to $5,000 in fines and 20 years per count if convicted. All persons arrested by the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Suspected fraud can be reported to the Auditor’s office online at any time by clicking the red button at www.osa.ms.gov or calling 1-(800)-321-1275 during normal business hours.