MDOT's ex-public affairs director latest to be charged with embezzlement
The former communications director for the Mississippi Department of Transportation is the second indicted in less than a week.
MDOT's ex-public affairs director latest to be charged with embezzlement The former communications director for the Mississippi Department of Transportation is the second indicted in less than a week. Check out this story on clarionledger.com: https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2019/09/26/mississippi-department-transportation-ex-spokesman-indicted-jarrod-ravencraft-selena-standifer/3773850002/
Jimmie E. Gates, Mississippi Clarion Ledger Published 10:07 a.m. CT Sept. 26, 2019 | Updated 12:14 p.m. CT Sept. 26, 2019
The former public affairs director for the Mississippi Department of Transportation has been indicted for embezzlement for allegedly converting more than $10,000 in department gift cards to his own use.
MDOT said the gift cards weren't intended for employees. They were supposed to be used as incentives given to schools as part of an educational program.
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood announced the indictment Wednesday of Jarrod Ravencraft, 49, of Jackson.
Ravencraft is the second former MDOT employee charged within a week for allegedly converting the department's gift cards to personal use.
On Friday, Selena Standifer, 40, of Brandon, turned herself in to authorities after her indictment by a Hinds County grand jury on one count of embezzlement. She is accused of converting to her own use more than $1,000 in gift cards in December 2015 while employed by MDOT.
Former Mississippi Department of Transportation Public Affairs Director Jarrod Ravencraft and ex-Deputy Director Selena Standifer in an August 2016 photo while employed with the department. (Photo: Special to Clarion Ledger)
Ravencraft turned himself in to authorities Wednesday following his indictment by a Hinds County grand jury on one count of embezzlement. Ravencraft is accused of converting to his own use more than $10,000 in gift cards between June 2017 through March 2018 while employed by the Mississippi Department of Transportation. The gift cards were the property of the department.
If convicted, Ravencraft and Standifer face up to 20 years in prison each. They couldn't be reached for comment.
MDOT Executive Director Melinda McGrath said the department discovered evidence of financial misconduct within the agency.
"As soon as the administration was made aware, an internal review was performed," McGrath said. "As a result of the review, MDOT contacted the Mississippi Attorney General's office and turned over all evidence collected to this point."
McGrath said in a statement MDOT has cooperated fully with the AG's investigators.
"MDOT takes this very seriously and has reviewed and strengthened internal controls to deter this type of misconduct from happening in the future," she said. "MDOT appreciates the swift and thorough investigation by the AG's office and willingness to see this investigation through to an indictment."
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Contact Jimmie E. Gates at 601-961-7212 or jgates@gannett.com. Follow @jgatesnews on Twitter.
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