A state worker and former colleagues, family members and friends were indicted Thursday in DeKalb County on charges they cashed more than $200,000 in state income tax refund checks that were fraudulently made out to them.
The grand jury’s decision sets the stage for a racketeering trial against former Georgia Department of Revenue employee Naterica Burkes of Jonesboro and 14 others. Efforts were being made to reach Burkes for comment Thursday.
State authorities say that while she worked for the Department of Revenue in DeKalb between July 2008 and September 2011, Burkes issued 33 illegal tax refund checks to herself, family, friends and former colleagues.
According to the indictment, Burkes used the state’s computer system to create the checks, which were deposited in her alleged accomplices’ personal bank accounts or cashed at local businesses. The money allegedly was then divided among the co-conspirators.
Burkes was arrested in September 2011. Her alleged co-conspirators were identified as former state employee Kaiesha Ash, Lloyd Burkes, Nicole D. Calhoun, David H. Pitts, Kedrick Lacey, Leonard Harvey Jr., Rochelle Hunter, Chandra Long, Justin C. Clark, Sochie Jordan, Nykea Williams, Kenneth Sheriff, Olivetti Key and Tomichi A. Lee.
The racketeering charges carry a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine up to three times the amount of money stolen.
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