Ex-Director of Mississippi Firefighters' Association, Daughter Plead Guilty to Embezzlement

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) -- A former director of the Mississippi Firefighters Memorial Burn Association and his daughter pleaded guilty Tuesday to embezzling more than $84,000 from the nonprofit organization.

Former Director Sandy Johnson pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $56,000 from the association, a nonprofit fund-raiser for the 16-bed burn center, which is a part of Delta Regional Medical Center in Greenville.

The facility is the only burn center in the state and the only comprehensive burn center between Galveston, Texas, and Augusta, Ga.

Johnson's daughter, Tisha J. Cole, who kept the association's books, pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $27,000.

Cole and Johnson reportedly stole the money between January 2001 and December 2002. Some of the money was apparently used to gamble at a casino.

Sentencing is expected to take place next week in Greenville before Washington County Circuit Judge Margaret Carey-McCray.

Johnson and his daughter could each face up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine or as little as probation.