Review shows employee did not embezzle from university

EUPORA — An internal review reveals that a Mississippi State employee did not take funds from the university, though she has been charged with embezzling from another organization.

The Commercial Dispatch reports Beth Sykes Collum of Eupora was arrested and charged with embezzling an undisclosed amount while serving as treasurer for the Mississippi Horse Show Association.

She was released on $10,000 bond and placed on administrative leave by the university.

University officials say the 49-year-old Collum was hired as the business manager for MSU’s office of the provost and executive vice president in 2010.

Sid Salter, director of MSU’s University Relations, says the department of internal audit reviewed all university funding to which Collum had access, but the investigation revealed no irregularities.