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Lumpkin County’s Chief Registrar and Elections Manager has been arrested and charged with theft by taking Thursday evening.
Lumpkin County’s Chief Registrar and Elections Manager has been arrested after an investigation revealed her involvement in the theft of more than $400,000 worth of funds designated for charity, according to a release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Rhonda Sheppard, 54, was taken into custody Thursday evening, charged with theft by taking and booked into Lumpkin County Detention Center.
The local official had been under investigation since August 6 of this year after Sheriff Stacy Jarrard received a report that Sheppard had not properly carried out the terms of a will which directed a large donation to charity.
“One such term involved a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital,” stated a release from Agent Kim Williams of the GBI. “… At this point, the investigation has revealed that Sheppard took over $400,000 for personal use.”
Sheppard took over as the Chief Registrar and Elections Manager in July. Prior to that she worked as an administrative assistant at the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office.
"It is still under investigation and there could be other arrests to follow," Jarrard told The Nugget. "The GBI is pursuing it and they will continue to pursue it."
On Friday, members of the Lumpkin County Board of Elections and the Board of Commissioners issued a release saying they were aware of Sheppard's arrest for "an alleged offense not related to her work with the county."
Sheppard has been placed on administrative leave and former elections manager Ashley Peck has been named the interim manager.
"An audit will be conducted of the Elections Office to account for all public funds and equipment," stated the release.
Check back in to www.thedahloneganugget.com as this story develops.