GBI arrests one, seeks another in alleged diversion scheme

ATLANTA - The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested one former state employee and is seeking another on charges that they helped divert more than three million dollars in state funds and property for personal use. <br> <br> GBI Spokesman John Bankhead said Thursday the agency arrested 44-year-old L.R. Silas of Atlanta, a former employee of the Georgia Technology Authority, on January 31 on a charge of conspiracy to defraud the state. <br> <br> Bankhead said the agency is seeking a second former employee, 44-year-old Dennis Bledsoe, on a similar charge and is seeking public help to find him. Bledsoe is from Monroe County and could be in the Macon or Forsyth area. <br> <br> Bankhead said additional charges and arrests are possible. <br> <br> The investigation was begun at the request of the technology authority, which is responsible for the state&#39;s telecommunications and Internet operations. <br> <br> Joyce Goldberg, a spokesman for the agency, said an employee ``came to us with some suspicions about illegal billing by a contractor and also some suspicions that this contractor was doing work for an employee of GTA. So we asked the GBI to open an investigation.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Among other things, she said agents are looking into whether the state was overbilled for work that was performed, and whether the state was charged for work that was not done.