Former Harrison County deputy tax collector sentenced for falsifying mileage

A former Coast tax collector was sentenced Wednesday for falsifying county mileage.

Denise Gill, who was the deputy tax collector for Harrison County, was sentenced to two years under house arrest.

Gill must also pay Harrison County $3,511 and the State Auditor’s Office $3,254.89 to cover investigative costs.

She pleaded guilty to the charge in January, admitting in Circuit Court that she falsified mileage to collect $681.64 from the county.

During her plea hearing before Judge Lisa Dodson, Gill said she felt justified in claiming the mileage because of the wear and tear she put on her car while working for the county.

She said she did not always have time to take notes and claim the actual miles she drove for work.

In exchange for her plea, the District Attorney’s Office agreed to drop three other false mileage charges against Gill.

This story was originally published February 26, 2020 at 1:16 PM.