In an alarming case of alleged corruption, a senior official from Georgia is accused of siphoning off funds allocated for crime victims to finance a personal shopping spree.
At a Glance
- Former Hall County Solicitor General Stephanie Woodard pleaded guilty to stealing public funds intended for crime victims.
- Woodard admitted to taking money from Hall County and the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia.
- She used the Local Victim Assistance Programs (LVAP) fund for personal expenses.
- Attorney General Chris Carr emphasized that Woodard violated laws she was elected to uphold.
- Woodard was sentenced to 12 months of probation and ordered to pay restitution.
Georgia Official Diverts Crime Victim Funds for Personal Luxury Purchases
Stephanie Woodard, former Hall County Solicitor General, pleaded guilty to charges of stealing public funds earmarked for crime victims. Woodard diverted these funds intended to support individuals affected by crime, using them instead for personal expenditures including travel, antique shopping, jewelry repairs, and even her dog’s cremation.
Reports reveal that Woodard admitted to misappropriating money from both Hall County and the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia (PAC). Specific personal purchases included luxury items such as $352.03 at Best Buy for noise-canceling headphones, as well as $168.33 at Out Of Cedar Antiques.
2 women went on a $8,000 shopping spree at Mall of Georgia. Police say they didn’t purchase anythinghttps://t.co/bOY9Xz1qPD
— MSN (@MSN) July 2, 2024
Official Statement and Legal Consequences
Attorney General Chris Carr stated, “Mrs. Woodard took advantage of our state by violating the same laws that she was elected to uphold. She has now been held accountable for her actions. Our office will always follow the law, the facts, and the evidence to ensure justice for all Georgians.” Woodard has been sentenced to 12 months of probation and is obligated to pay restitution totaling $2,219.28 to Hall County and PAC.
“Mrs. Woodard took advantage of our state by violating the same laws that she was elected to uphold. She has now been held accountable for her actions. Our office will always follow the law, the facts and the evidence to ensure justice for all Georgians.” – Attorney General Chris Carr said in an official release
As part of her plea deal, Woodard resigned from her position as Hall County Solicitor General. Her misuse of the Local Victim Assistance Programs (LVAP) fund has provoked public outrage, sparking demands for increased transparency and accountability within government operations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Details of the Indictment
The indictment against Woodard includes 11 counts of theft by taking and 13 counts of false statements and writings. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation led the inquiry into her actions, revealing that Woodard used a county-issued credit card to cover personal expenses falsely claimed to be for crime victims. Specific fraudulent purchases included a Target pillow and pillowcase, restaurant bills, and fees for a law school admissions course.
Woodard’s legal team has dismissed the charges as baseless, arguing that the Attorney General’s Office has unjustly pursued their client. Should Woodard successfully complete her probation under Georgia’s First Offender Act, her record will be expunged.
Sources
1. Prosecutor Accused of Stealing Money for Crime Victims to Buy Pillow, Pillowcase and Other Items
