Former Atlanta official pleads guilty to embezzlement charges

ATLANTA - Prosecutors said Thursday a former Atlanta transportation official has pleaded guilty to federal charges that he embezzled more than $400,000 over a three-year period. <br> <br> Jonathan Dodd, former director of Atlanta&#39;s Bureau of Motor Transport Services, also pleaded guilty to failing to report the embezzled money as income in tax filings. <br> <br> The 40-year-old Dodd was accused of using the money to build and renovate houses and pay for jewelry, clothes, furniture, more than $17,000 in professional basketball season tickets and his wedding and honeymoon to Hawaii. <br> <br> U.S. Attorney Williams Duffey said the embezzlements took place from late 1999 to February 2002. <br> <br> A sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 29 in U.S. District Court. Dodd faces a maximum of 13 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.