WALLER COUNTY OFFICIAL SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR STEALING PUBLIC FUNDS

  

The former bookkeeper for the Waller-Harris Emergency Services District will be going to prison after pleading guilty to stealing funds from both the district and their insurance carrier.

52-year-old Miki Suzanne Ellis of Navasota pled guilty to Theft $30,000 to $150,000 by a Public Servant, and for Tampering with Physical Evidence.

She was sentenced to 10 years in prison on each charge.

Judge Gary Cheney, who presided over the case, also ordered Ellis to pay $1,769.23 in restitution to the ESD, and $30,759.53 in restitution to the ESD’s insurance carrier.

According to the Waller County District Attorney’s Office, while Ellis was a bookkeeper for the ESD, she had access to all of their bank accounts, credit cards, and financial information, and used them for her personal gain.

Assistant District Attorneys Brent Huffman and Lauren Haevischer were the prosecutors on the case, while Houston-area Attorney Robert Cardenas served as the defense attorney.

After the sentence, Waller County Criminal District Attorney Sean Whittmore released a statement saying, “Waller County will not tolerate this corrupt behavior from those who are entrusted with the financial interests of the citizens of this County. Ellis’ actions, and anyone who seeks to mimic it, will be held accountable.”