Gwinnett woman charged with stealing thousands from autism group

By David Ibata

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A 47-year-old Lawrenceville woman who previously headed a statewide autism support group has been arrested and charged with stealing thousands of dollars from the organization, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Cynthia Pike, the former executive director of the Autism Society of Greater Georgia, has been charged with 16 felony counts of theft by conversion, authorities said.

Pike formerly was executive director of the society, according to the chapter’s present executive director, Latoshia Stephens. The state group is an independent affiliated chapter of the Autism Society of America.

When wrongdoing was suspected late last year, "the chapter's Board of Directors conducted an internal audit with a third-party accountant firm and immediately took those findings to the [Suwanee] police department," Stephens told Channel 2.

Police said $40,000 is missing and an additional $40,000 remains unaccounted for.

"There are some discrepancies in some ATM withdrawals and cash disbursements that we're still looking into,” said Capt. Clyde Byers of the Suwanee Police Department.

“Some of [the money] we know went to personal cell phone usage, and some went to unauthorized bonuses and pay raises,” Byers said.

According to an arrest warrant, Pike was the sole administrator of her organization’s accounts from 2007 to 2011.

No one answered the door when Channel 2 went to Pike’s Lawrenceville home.

An attorney for the woman sent a statement to Channel 2, denying the charges.

"Cindy Pike is absolutely innocent of the pending charges related to her employment with the Autism Society of America, Georgia Chapter," Raymond Lail said in the statement.

"I have known Cindy Pike since childhood and I know her to be honest and a caring and loving mother to her children, one who has autism. Cindy, who is 47, has never been arrested in her life until her arrest for these false charges," Lail said.

The state and national organizations are prepared to seek civil action to recover misappropriated funds and ensure the autism community in Georgia receives necessary services,  according to a statement dated Monday and posted on the Autism Society of America website.

Pike, separately, has set up her own autism organization, Georgia Autism Conferences. The group’s website said it aims to provide “quality seminars and conferences throughout the state on topics related to Autism Spectrum Disorders.”

The Secretary of State’s Office told Channel 2 that Pike registered the organization in September. It has scheduled a conference with dozens of presenters Feb. 29-March 1 at the Gwinnett Convention Center.