Marshall, NC – On Monday, April 23, 2018, Tara Dawn Nix, age 43, was sentenced by Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Gary Gavenus to serve between 51 and 74 months in prison for committing the felony offense of Embezzling more than $100,000.00.
In March of 2017, during a regular audit irregularities were discovered, consisting of a series of checks made payable to Nix, who was, at that time, the bookkeeper for the Madison County Clerk of Superior Court. Upon discovering the irregularities, Madison County Clerk Mark Cody asked the District Attorney to initiate an investigation. Cody also suspended Nix, confiscated her key to the courthouse, cut off her access to the courthouse computer systems, and secured her checkbook.
As follow-up audits were conducted, and the SBI began their investigation, it was discovered that Nix had misappropriated approximately $108,000.00. After the charges were substantiated Ms. Nix’s employment was terminated.
At Nix’s sentencing hearing, Judge Gavenus ordered that Nix pay full restitution to the State of North Carolina. As part of the judgement Nix was required to forfeit her State retirement and turn over nearly $40,000.00 of accrued retirement benefits. Nix will be required to reimburse the balance of the missing funds during Post Release Supervision at the end of her active sentence. Judge Gavenus also recommended that Nix receive substance abuse treatment, as well as psychiatric and/or psychological counseling while in custody.
“This case sends a strong message that the theft of public money will not be tolerated,” District Attorney Seth Banks said in a statement. “The District Attorney’s office will continue to work to safeguard public money and to hold those who would violate the public trust accountable. I would like to thank Assistant District Attorney John Honeycutt and the SBI for their work on this case. I would also like to thank Madison County Clerk of Superior Court Mark Cody for bringing this case to my attention and assisting in the investigation.”
