A Gwinnett County employee was arrested on Tuesday after an investigation into diverted county funds.
According to the Gwinnett County Police Department (GCPD), a former deputy director within Gwinnett County’s Department of Information Technology (IT) is the person who has been charged.
68-year-old James Smith was arrested after an investigation that was launched on May 15.
That was when the Gwinnett County Treasury Division identified suspicious activity related to a vendor payment and notified GCPD.
Smith was the deputy director of infrastructure and operations within the IT department.
Investigators determined Smith allegedly altered financial documents to redirect county funds.
He has been charged with computer theft, computer forgery, and criminal attempt to commit theft by taking.
“We are deeply troubled by the recent discovery of potential financial misconduct involving a former Gwinnett County employee,” Gwinnett County Administrator Glenn Stephens said in a statement. “We are committed to transparency and accountability and are fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation into this matter. To preserve the integrity of the process, we will refrain from further comment.”
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
