A former Paulding County school system accountant who stole thousands from the district was banished from the county as part of a plea deal Tuesday, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Julie Taylor embezzled more than $58,000 from four schools over a period of nearly two years and even purchased a boat with some of the funds, officials said.
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The financial misconduct was discovered in August 2015, and the district hired an independent auditing firm to review selected activity at schools from 2013 to 2015, school spokesman Jay Dillon said.
“The firm’s findings were cross-referenced with the district’s internal findings, and no material inconsistencies were found,” he said.
The information from the investigation was turned over to local authorities, who arrested Taylor the same month.
One day after her arrest, her husband resigned as principal of East Paulding Middle School. Brett Taylor was never under investigation by sheriff’s officials, authorities said.
MORE: East Paulding Middle principal resigns following wife's theft arrest
In court Tuesday, Taylor presented a check for more than $60,000 in restitution, Channel 2 reported.
Taylor also must serve nine to 12 months of probation detention, which can include confinement.
“The school district regrets that this incident occurred,” Dillon said, “but remains committed to protecting the public’s assets.”
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