Ex revenue official sentenced for theft, forgery

A former state Revenue Department employee has pleaded guilty to theft by taking and forgery.

Lawanda Harkness entered her plea this week in Fulton County Superior Court and was sentenced to five years on probation under the First Offender Act. She also was ordered to pay a $500 fine and $3,550 in restitution, the state Attorney General’s Office said.

Harkness altered eight stolen money orders that had been sent by taxpayers to the state and then deposited them into her personal bank account, the AG's office said.