CLEVELAND — Kappi Allen, former executive director of the Coahoma County Tourism Commission, pleaded guilty to embezzlement at a hearing in Circuit Judge Al Smith’s courtroom in Cleveland Wednesday, Feb. 12.
The guilty plea means the matter will not go to trial. Instead, Allen, who resigned from her position in February 2018 just prior to the state auditor’s office investigating her, will have a plea hearing at a later date.
The prosecution and Allen both agreed Allen embezzled more than $25,000, which means, according to Smith, the maximum sentence is 20 years in prison or a $25,000 fine.
However, the amount of money Allen embezzled while in her position with the tourism commission is still in question. She was charged with embezzling $93,345.34 — more than $56,000 in funds and more than $35,000 for other things such as taking her granddaughter to Disney World.
Prosecuting attorney Walter Bleck also claimed a break-in occurred at the tourism commission office at one point and the only thing stolen was Allen’s computer.
“We’re pleading guilty under the appropriate statute,” said Allen’s attorney Michael Carr of Cleveland. “However, we’re not pleading guilty that it’s $93,000.”
Carr did not disclose how much money he believed Allen embezzled.
With Allen’s guilty plea, it must be pointed out the Coahoma County Tourism Commission is not involved in the matter at the moment.
Ed Peacock, who became board attorney after Allen’s resignation, said he and board members were not present at the hearing Feb. 12 because they expected her to plead guilty.
“We may show up at the final hearing, but for right now, we’re not involved,” Peacock said.
“We were called as witnesses, but the fact that she pled guilty, we didn’t have to go. We’re not involved because she pled guilty.”
Bubba O’Keefe was named executive director of the tourism commission beginning Jan. 2019. Tom Jones held the position on an interim basis for several months following Allen’s resignation.
The past due bills of around $75,000 were paid off during Jones’ time as interim executive director of the tourism commission.
