State Auditor Shad White said Randy Hester, the Quitman County coroner, pled guilty to false representations to defraud the government and conspiracy to fraudulently obtain public funds. His aunt, Brenda Pittman, pled guilty to conspiracy to defraud the state.

According to White, Hester and Pittman opened a bank account under a fictitious business they created called MFC Transit. Bank records listed Hester’s personal address as the business address for the account.

The State Auditor said Hester submitted invoices for the transportation of bodies using MFC Transit. Hester then charged the county for transporting bodies that were transported by other funeral homes. As coroner, Hester was prohibited to bill the county for the routine transportation of dead bodies.

Hester was sentenced to five years of probation, $12,350 in restitution, and $500 in fines. Pittman was sentenced to two years of probation.