A former treasurer of a Forsyth County elementary school is accused of stealing nearly $8,000 from a parent-teacher organization, but authorities say thousands more may be missing.
The Cumming Police Department said a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Jamie Garfield, 36, who is accused of stealing the money from the Cumming Elementary School PTO during the 2009 and 2010 school years.
While Garfield is accused of taking $7,911.82, police spokesman Sgt. Bryan Zimbardi said thousands of dollars more has been reported missing and additional charges may be added.
Last Aug. 5, PTO board members discovered that one of the group’s bank accounts was overdrawn and requested a criminal investigation. The thefts occurred over a 21-month period, police say.
Zimbardi said Garfield was interviewed once during the investigation, but refused to be interviewed a second time earlier this year.
“We have not heard from her since,” the police spokesman said. He added that Garfield is the only suspected in the thefts.
Garfield is charged with theft by taking. If convicted, she could face imprisonment of no less than one year and no more than 15 years, a fine or both.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Department is the agency trying to serve the warrant, the police spokesman said.
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