Holmes CC president charged with six counts of embezzlement

Associated Press
DURANT, Miss. - Holmes Community College President Starkey Morgan has been charged with six counts of embezzlement for allegedly pocketing more than $10,000 in college funds used to buy dog food and other personal items, District Attorney James Powell says.
The state auditor's office began investigating Morgan on May 31 following an inquiry from the junior college's trustees. Morgan is accused of embezzling between $10,000 and $12,000.
"It's embezzlement, but it's not checks. Each of the counts is more of improper use of his authority as president," Powell said. "He was getting the benefit. It would have been money out of his pocket instead of the college if he had paid for it like he should have."
Powell said Morgan used college money on three occasions to buy tires and have them mounted on a personal vehicle by college employees. The remaining charges were for buying dog food and paying a veterinarian bill and for using college employees to prepare his house and grounds for a wedding ceremony, Powell said.
Morgan was arrested Tuesday and was released on a $30,000 bond.
The state auditor's office said the investigation is ongoing.
Powell said Morgan faces a minimum one-year jail term on each count if convicted. The maximum penalty is 20 years each on four charges and 10 years each on the remaining two counts.
Morgan, reached at home by The Clarion-Ledger, referred questions to his attorney.
Holmes has campuses in Goodman, Grenada and Ridgeland. Morgan has led the two-year college since 1989 at an annual salary of $138,500.
The board of trustees placed Morgan on paid leave after a special meeting June 1 and appointed Glenn Boyce, a Holmes vice president in Ridgeland, to serve as interim president.