UPDATE: The former state health inspector accused of overcharging the restaurants he inspected has another job title: Holmes County constable.

Willie Anderson overcharged restaurants in Holmes County while he worked as a state health inspector for the Mississippi Department of Health, and he then falsified department records and kept the difference in cash, a Holmes County indictment says.

The 59-year-old Anderson was booked into Holmes-Humphreys County/Regional Correctional Facility on Wednesday following a two-count indictment on embezzlement and altering public records charges.

State Auditor Shad White, whose office investigated the case, said Anderson took $850 in cash from nine restaurants from Dec. 31, 2011, to March 15, 2015. White said suspicion arose after his office noticed different payment totals between restaurant and department of health records. Anderson performed restaurant inspections in Holmes County for at least 10 years, according to Mississippi Department of Health inspection records, before he was let go.

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Anderson is currently serving out his second term with Holmes County as District 2 constable. As constable, Anderson has the power to make arrests and serve summonses and subpoenas for people to appear in court in criminal and/or civil matters.

“I have a record of being fair, honest and open to all the citizens of Holmes County,” Anderson said at a 2015 Mississippi Constable Association meeting, the Holmes County Herald reported.

Anderson was released on a $5,000 bond. He faces up to 30 years in jail on the two charges.

Original Story