Former parks director, contractors arrested

Three more arrests have been made in connection with an ongoing embezzlement investigation concerning the city of Starkville’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Former Parks and Recreation Director Herman Peters, 51, turned himself in on Thursday for a felony warrant issued for conspiracy to commit embezzlement, according to a press release from the Starkville Police Department.

In addition to Peters, 46-year-old Marion Watson, of Eupora, and 33-year-old Anthony Stevenson, of Starkville, also turned themselves in on felony warrants issued for embezzlement.

Both worked as subcontractors for the Parks and Recreation Department, according to Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill.

All three were released on $5,000 bond and will appear in Starkville Municipal Court on Monday, Feb. 26.

It is unclear at this time how much was embezzled by the three arrested on Thursday.

The arrests bring the total up to four Parks and Recreation employees accused in the investigation.

Peters was fired by the Starkville Board of Aldermen on Jan. 2, after being placed on unpaid leave along with former administrative assistant Dianne Evans.

Evans turned herself in to the Starkville Police Department on Dec. 29, after a felony warrant was issued for embezzlement.

Court documents say Evans is accused of embezzling $2,000 by virtue of her employment with the Starkville Parks and Recreation Department.