Former child support clerk arrested

An investigation by the State Attorney General’s Office resulted in the indictment Thursday, and the arrest Friday of Cindy Truhett on embezzlement charges involving child support funds which allegedly occurred while Truhett was a clerk in the program.

Truhett, 39, was arrested at 2 p.m. Friday inside the Lauderdale Courthouse in Meridian. Her bond hearing was held shortly thereafter where she was given a $10,000 bond. Truhett was released later Friday when she met bond requirements and guidelines.

According to the indictment against Truhett, who was working as a clerk in the Child Support Payment Program between Jan. 3, 2002 and April 10, 2007, she reportedly embezzled more than $216,000 in child support payment checks sent to the office.

The Child Support Payment Program, according to the indictment, was established by the Lauderdale County Chancery Court of the Twelfth Chancery Court District.

The charges levied against Truhett were the result of a contempt case filed by Laura Main on April 23. Main’s motion asked the court to hold Truhett in contempt for violating the duties of her office, and for her alleged failure to distribute collected child support payments for a persistent and unreasonable time.

Truhett unexpectedly quit her position with the program a day after Main’s motion was filed.

Main claimed during a July 13 hearing in Meridian she made several attempts to contact Truhett when Main fell behind in receiving her support payments. Main further stated Truhett misled her in saying the “checks were in the mail.”

A court date is expected to be set soon.
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