Former McIntosh tax commissioner sentenced for theft

DARIEN - Former McIntosh County Tax Commissioner Shelia Atkinson was sentenced Friday to up to 12 months in jail and ordered to repay $4,472 taken from her office more than 10 years ago. <br> <br> Atkinson, who was convicted March 28, also received 10 years probation and was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine for felony theft. Superior Court Judge David Cavender sentenced her to a year probation each on a second felony theft conviction and two misdemeanor convictions of malfeasance in office. <br> <br> Evidence showed Atkinson had written checks to her office for cash but had not deposited them so the money could be withdrawn from her bank account. After her removal from office in 1999, several of her personal checks were found hidden in a closet.