A former Richmond County coroner has pleaded guilty to stealing property and money from the bodies of people who died between 2006 and 2012, The Augusta Chronicle reported.
Grover Tuten Jr., 78, pleaded guilty Monday in Richmond County Superior Court to five counts of theft and three counts of violation of oath by a public officer, according to the Chronicle. He also agreed to pay $46,087.95 in restitution in exchange for 15 years of probation.
“I’m sorry. I make some mistakes, I did some things that were wrong,” Tuten said, according to the Chronicle. “Mostly I walk with my head down when I’m out. I’m so ashamed.”
Assistant District Attorney Falin Syms told the news outlet that an investigation uncovered a bank account that Tuten used to stash money that should have gone into county coffers.
Syms said the restitution will be paid using the funds from that bank account in addition to $3,800 in cash found in Tuten’s office, plus a $9,182 check from Tuten.
Tuten took full responsibility for his actions, defense attorney Danny Durham said, according to the Chronicle.
Judge Jesse Stone accepted Tuten’s plea and imposed sentence, which allows Tuten to remain free and spend time with his wife of 62 years who was recently placed in hospice.
Tuten previously served three years in prison for using a dead man’s credit card, the Chronicle reported.
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