Prosecutor used taxpayer money for personal expenses: Cops

Authorities in Georgia have arrested an Atlanta prosecutor who allegedly used taxpayer funds meant to help crime victims to buy items for herself such as cremation for her dog, breakfast and pillows from Target.

Publish Date: Thursday 20th June 2024
Share 

Atlanta Society

Atlanta Society category interest

Authorities in Georgia have arrested an Atlanta prosecutor who allegedly used taxpayer funds meant to help crime victims to buy items for herself such as cremation for her dog, breakfast and pillows from Target.

A grand jury indicted Hall County Solicitor General Stephanie Woodard on 11 counts of theft by taking and 13 counts of false statements and writings, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said in a press release. Woodard on “several occasions from July 2018 through September 2022” used funds from Hall County and the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia for personal expenses, according to Carr. She also allegedly accepted reimbursement for travel and continuing education classes she didn’t actually attend.

“Those elected to uphold the law must operate honestly, ethically and transparently, and anything less undermines our system,” Carr said in a statement. “Theft of taxpayer dollars and falsifying documents to cover up that theft are entirely unacceptable.”

Woodard was tasked with prosecuting misdemeanor cases within the county, but now faces felony charges herself.

Among the allegations: Woodard turned in a receipt from a breakfast restaurant, claiming it was for abuse awareness when it was not. She said she was paying an expense related to law school admissions for a victim in a local youth program when it was really for someone else. Woodard requested reimbursement for costs related to a court case but it was actually to pay for cremation for her dog. She bought pillows for herself at Target and said they were for a victim.

Atlanta Fox affiliate WAGA has been investigating Woodard’s actions for years. The TV station even tracked down the person who cremated her dog. Rick Farmer, of Precious Memories Crematory, gave a statement to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation about the $190 expense.

“It was paid to me, for her dog,” Farmer told the outlet. “Sounds like she owes the county some money and a whole bunch of other people a big apology.”

Woodard’s attorneys released a statement calling the indictment “absurd” and “unfathomable.”

“She absolutely committed no crime, but yet she has been viciously pursued by the GBI for years,” the statement said. “They have harassed her family, including her children, during which time the agents were aware of ongoing severe health issues that they were facing.”

But to GBI Director Chris Hosey, the indictment shows no one is above the law.

“As a public official, Hall County citizens trusted Solicitor Stephanie Woodard with their community’s interests,” he said in a statement.

December 22, 2024

Story attribution: Staff

Share 

More from Atlanta Society

placeholder
Atlanta Society

Biography, Accomplishments, & Facts

John Lewis (born February 21, 1940, near Troy, Alabama, U.S.—died July 17, 2020, Atlanta, Georgia) was an American civil rights leader and politician best known for his chairmanship of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and for leading the march that was halted by police violence on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, in 1965, a landmark event in the history of the civil rights movement that became known as “Bloody Sunday.”Lewis was the son of Alabama sharecroppers.

GT LOV’s Sandwich Run serves the local community
Atlanta Society

GT LOV’s Sandwich Run serves the local community

On the first Saturday of every month, students who are a part of Tech’s Lifting Our Voices, Inc. chapter (GT LOV) can be seen driving around the local area, making, packaging and hand-delivering meals to the homeless and food-insecure population around local Atlanta.

placeholder
Atlanta Society

Georgia judge says women aren’t ‘community property’ as abortion ban struck down – as it happened

Key eventsShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureSummaryWe’re wrapping up our live coverage of US politics for today, but our live coverage of what is happening now in Israel and Lebanon will continue.

Atlanta Launches Trailblazing Reentry Resource Fair for Returning
Atlanta Society

Atlanta Launches Trailblazing Reentry Resource Fair for Returning

Mayor Andre Dickens, along with Fulton County Solicitor Keith Gammage, has invited Atlanta's returning citizens to a new reentry resource fair designed to help them reintegrate into society.

placeholder
Atlanta Society

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Prevention and Support

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a crucial time to focus on early detection, prevention, and supporting those affected by this disease.

ever homes needed: National Adopt a Dog Month
Atlanta Society

ever homes needed: National Adopt a Dog Month

168October is National Adopt a Dog Month, and across Atlanta organizations are raising awareness about pet adoption and finding loving homes for dogs in need.

Sign up for Atlanta Post Online Newsletters

Keep in touch with everything on Atlanta Post Online. Sign up for our newsletter!
 


Stats
Elapsed time: 0.3300 seconds
Memory useage: 2.5MB
V2.geronimo