Former Newton official charged with embezzlement

By Staff
From staff reports
April 11, 2001
A former Newton County deputy tax collector has been arrested and charged with embezzling more than $73,000 from taxpayers.
Velinda Craven was arrested after a Newton County grand jury indicted her on one count of embezzlement, according to an announcement by State Auditor Phil Bryant.
Craven served as the county's deputy tax collector from February 1996 through April 2000.
Special agents from Bryant's office and officials with the Newton County Sheriff's Department arrested Craven Friday.
Bryant sent Craven a demand in January 2001 totaling $119,126, an amount including $73,236 in principal, $17,777 in interest and $28,112 in investigative costs.
District Attorney Ken Turner said he looks forward to working with Bryant's special agents in the prosecution of the case.
Craven, appearing before a Circuit Court judge, entered a plea of not guilty and was released on a $75,000 property bond.