Former Coroner Headed To Prison

RIPLEY, Miss. (AP) – Former Union County Coroner Mark Golding has been sentenced to serve four years in prison after pleading guilty to fraud by a public official.

State Auditor Stacy Pickering says in a news release that Golding pleaded guilty Monday in Tippah County Circuit Court to two counts and sentenced to two years on each count.

Pickering says Golding submitted false claims totaling $276,591 in fees to the Union County Board of Supervisors for deaths he did not investigate.

The auditor’s office has demanded Golding pay $398,418.83, which includes restitution to Union County plus interest and investigative costs.

Golding resigned as coroner June 6.