Quitman County Coroner and Co-Conspirator Pleads Guilty

JACKSON, Miss. – Today State Auditor Shad White announced that Randy Hester, Quitman County Coroner, has pleaded guilty to False Representations to Defraud the Government and Conspiracy to Fraudulently Obtain Public Funds and Brenda Pittman, Hester’s aunt, has pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Defraud the State.

Hester and Pittman opened a bank account under a fictitious business they created called MFC Transit. Bank records listed Hester’s personal address as the business address for the account. Hester allegedly submitted invoices for the transportation of bodies using MFC Transit. Hester then charged the county for transporting bodies that were transported by other funeral homes. As Coroner, Hester was prohibited to bill the county for the routine transportation of dead bodies.

“Our investigators work tirelessly to uncover cases just like this one,” said State Auditor Shad White. “We will continue to work directly with prosecutors to deliver record results for taxpayers.”

Hester was sentenced to five years of probation, $12,350 in restitution, and $500 in fines. Pittman was sentenced to two years of probation.

Suspected fraud can be reported to the Auditor’s office at any time by clicking the red button on the Auditor's website or calling 1-(800) 321-1275 during normal business hours.