A former chief financial officer and treasurer for a Lithonia construction company was indicted Tuesday on federal charges after allegedly embezzling more than $1 million to pay for personal expenses.
According to the Department of Justice, 53-year-old Carrie N. Harris of Jackson stole the money between 2008 and 2013. During that time, prosecutors said she issued more than 100 checks to pay for purchases, including nearly $250,000 in flights, cruises and vacation expenses, more than $100,000 in cash withdrawals and more than $100,000 in retail purchases.
Harris allegedly used the company president’s signature without authorization and then falsified entries on the company’s check register and general ledger. The checks she drafted ranged from $4,500 to $17,000, officials said.
Harris was charged with wire fraud, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. The case is still being investigated by the FBI and the Department of Labor – Employee Benefits Security Administration.
“Harris allegedly abused her position as the Chief Financial Officer for an employee-owned company ... to enrich herself,” U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak said. “As thieves get more and more creative, employers must build in checks and balances to avoid turning over the ‘keys’ to the kingdom.”
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