On Thursday, January 11, State Auditor Shad White announced former Gautier Police Officer Eric Maye has pled guilty to Embezzlement.
He was arrested in January of 2023. Mayes was served with a $1,433.43 demand letter.
According to the State Auditor’s office, Mayes is guilty of using the city’s FuelMan gas card to buy fuel for his personal vehicle. The gas card is supposed to only be used for his city-owned police vehicle.
“Thank you to prosecutors and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. Working together, we will continue to safeguard taxpayer dollars,” said State Auditor Shad White.
Maye was sentenced by the Jackson County Circuit Court to 5 years of house arrest and 5 years of post-release supervision.
He was also ordered to pay restitution and fines. Maye’s sentence will run concurrently with a conviction from a case investigated by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations. Both cases were prosecuted by District Attorney Angel McIlrath’s office.
No surety bond covers Maye’s employment as a Gautier Police Officer. Surety bonds are similar to insurance designed to protect taxpayers from corruption. Maye will remain liable for the full amount of the demand in addition to criminal proceedings.
If you ever suspect fraud, you can report it to the Auditor’s office online by clicking the red button on the auditor’s website. You can also call 1-(800)-321-1275 during normal business hours.
