A Cobb County worker who allegedly stole a check intended for the Cobb Civic Center and cashed it for himself has been fired and jailed, officials said.

Ivan Stephens is facing three felony theft and forgery charges, according to a Cobb County warrant.

“We have not had that happen in the past,” said AikWah Leow with the county’s communications department. “So this is prompting us to look into ways to improve our practices to make sure this doesn't happen again.”

Leow confirmed that Stephens, who was a part-time employee assigned to the Civic Center, has been fired. He was a recreation programmer who started at the Therapeutic Recreation Services division in July 2015.

The county is reviewing all of its policies to determine how to prevent future theft and forgery, Leow said.

Stephens’ bond was $5,000, according to jail records.

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