Crime & Safety
Ex-Staffer Altered Documents To Divert Gwinnett County Funds: Police
Police say they were notified after Gwinnett County workers observed suspicious activity regarding a vendor payment.
SUGAR HILL, GA — A former deputy director in Gwinnett County was arrested after being accused of changing financial documents in an effort to divert county funds, police say.
Gwinnett County Police on Tuesday said James Smith, 68, worked for the county's information technology department as deputy director of infrastructure and operations.
Treasury staff notified officers on May 15 of suspicious activity regarding a vendor payment, police said. Smith then became the subject of an investigation into the matter, police said.
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Smith was accused of altering financial documents to try to redirect the county funds.
Ultimately, he was arrested Tuesday morning on charges of computer theft, computer forgery and criminal attempt to commit theft by taking, police said.
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Smith was released that night on a $17,100 bond, Gwinnett County Jail records showed Wednesday.
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