Ex Clarkston councilwoman pleads guilty
Former Clarkston City Councilwoman Joan Swaney pleaded guilty Monday to bank fraud for embezzling money from the Clarkston Community Center.
Swaney resigned from the city council shortly after being indicted on federal charges in October. Federal prosecutors said she used the money to help pay for family vacations, medical bills, car repairs, a boat charter and other personal expenses.
At the time, Swaney served as the community center’s office manager. She is to be sentenced on March 6.
About the Author
Bill Rankin has been an AJC reporter for more than 30 years. His father, Jim Rankin, worked as an editor for the newspaper for 26 years, retiring in 1986. Bill has primarily covered the state’s court system, doing all he can do to keep the scales of justice on an even keel. Since 2015, he has been the host of the newspaper’s Breakdown podcast.
