A former deputy clerk in the office of the Lincoln County Tax Assessor/Collector has been indicted after allegedly embezzling at least $16,000 in taxpayer money.

A grand jury indicted Lindsey Grace Mulligan on July 15 for embezzling approximately $16,215.12 during her employment in the tax office from April 21, 2009 to November 9, 2009.

The indictment reads Mulligan “did willfully, unlawfully and feloniously convert to her own use approximately [$16,215.12] of the money which had come into her hands or possession by virtue of her said public employment […].”

The indictment says Mulligan repeatedly took money for her own use and deleted the records of various transactions whereby she received the funds.

Mulligan, 961 Old Rifle Range Road in Petal, was arrested on July 18. She was released later that day and is out on $20,000 bond. Embezzlement by a public employee is not subject to a statute of limitations and carries penalties up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $25,000.

Mulligan’s court date was set for Monday, and she waived her formal arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty on Tuesday. Her case is set for Sept. 8 at 9 a.m.

Mulligan has hired Bobby Moak as her attorney. The State Auditor’s Office and the District Attorney are handling the investigation.