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Former Georgia DOC Official Charged for Embezzling Public Funds
A former deputy director of operations for the Georgia Department of Corrections has been indicted on 35 counts of identity fraud, after admitting he used his state purchasing privileges to buy electronic items and make other unauthorized purchases for his personal use.
Benjamin Hopkins, 42, was indicted by a Fulton County grand jury on July 16, 2013. His allegedly improper purchases came to light when a vendor for the Department of Corrections, Global Government Education Solutions, flagged an order for an Xbox gaming system and two iPods in November 2010 and contacted corrections auditors. An internal investigation was launched and 35 unauthorized purchases were discovered. A two-year spending spree worth at least $20,374.91 in public funds was attributed to Hopkins.
When investigators confronted Hopkins with evidence of the purchases, he reportedly admitted having made them and was terminated. A warrant for Hopkins’ arrest was issued by the Fulton County Superior Court.
Sources: www.cbsatlanta.com, www.correctionsone.com
Benjamin Hopkins, 42, was indicted by a Fulton County grand jury on July 16, 2013. His allegedly improper purchases came to light when a vendor for the Department of Corrections, Global Government Education Solutions, flagged an order for an Xbox gaming system and two iPods in November 2010 and contacted corrections auditors. An internal investigation was launched and 35 unauthorized purchases were discovered. A two-year spending spree worth at least $20,374.91 in public funds was attributed to Hopkins.
When investigators confronted Hopkins with evidence of the purchases, he reportedly admitted having made them and was terminated. A warrant for Hopkins’ arrest was issued by the Fulton County Superior Court.
Sources: www.cbsatlanta.com, www.correctionsone.com
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