State Auditor Stacey Pickering says more than $2.3 million in lost public funds have been recovered since January 2008.

The cases involve embezzlement, misuse of funds and errors within government.

Pickering says more than $500,000 of the funds were recovered from the failed beef plant investigation. The beef plant funds were returned to the state’s general fund for appropriation by the Legislature.

Individuals are issued demands by the state auditor’s office when the investigation determines that there has been a loss of public funds.

Some cases are pursued for criminal charges by the local district attorneys and if found guilty, the court often orders restitution.