The attorney for Hall County State Court Solicitor Stephanie Woodard says her indictment on charges of Theft By Taking and Making False Statements is a “waste of court time and taxpayer dollars…she absolutely committed no crime.”
ATTORNEY MARISSA GOLDBERG’S STATEMENT:
“Ms. Woodard has been a dedicated public servant for the past 16 years, as the elected Solicitor General on behalf of the people of Hall County. She has been deeply committed to the plight of victims, particularly those in domestic violence situations, and has been focused on the recovery and stability for citizens and families, including defendants under her purview.
The decision by the Attorney General’s Office to institute charges against her in this absurd indictment is unfathomable and a waste of court time and taxpayer dollars. She absolutely committed no crime, but yet she has been viciously pursued by the GBI for years.
They have harassed her family, including her children, during which time the agents were aware of ongoing severe health issues that they were facing. We do not say this lightly- the misguided Attorney General’s Office is utterly and provably wrong here.”
Attorney General Chris Carr announced the indictment Tuesday afternoon.
It alleges that Woodard unlawfully acquired funds from Hall County and the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia (PAC) to cover personal and unrelated expenses. The indictment also contains a number of travel expenditures for which the defendant is alleged to have obtained reimbursement for expenses she had previously submitted to PAC or had never actually incurred. To support these purchases, the defendant is alleged to have made false statements and falsified documents, including receipts.
“Those elected to uphold the law must operate honestly, ethically and transparently, and anything less undermines our system,” said Carr. “Theft of taxpayer dollars and falsifying documents to cover up that theft are entirely unacceptable. As with any case brought by our Public Integrity and White Collar Crime Unit, we follow the facts and evidence to ensure justice for the people of Georgia.”
The Attorney General’s Public Integrity and White Collar Crime Unit presented evidence June 12 to a Hall County Grand Jury which returned the indictment. It includes, but is not limited to, the following allegations:
*In June 2022, the defendant made a false statement that a receipt from the restaurant First Watch was an expense for abuse awareness and then took funds from Hall County.
*In August 2022, the defendant used her Hall County P-Card to make a purchase related to Law School Admissions. The defendant then made false statements and writings that the registration and receipt from the Law School Admissions Council were for a victim in a local youth program.
*In July 2021, the defendant made a false statement that a reimbursement request was for a dog cremation for an old magistrate court case and then took funds from Hall County.
*In June 2022, the defendant used her Hall County P-Card to pay for “Testing Services.” In July 2022, the defendant made a false statement that the registration was for a different prep course and an individual other than the person for whom she actually paid to take the course.
*In September 2022, the defendant used her Hall County P-Card to make a purchase at Target. The defendant then made a false writing that a pillow and pillow case were for a victim.
*In August 2021 and August 2022, in a Travel Expense Request Form submitted to Hall County, the defendant willfully concealed that she had previously requested a reimbursement from PAC for the same expenses. In both instances, the defendant took funds from Hall County.
*In July 2018, the defendant submitted to PAC a Continuing Legal Education Affidavit and Request for Credit, which falsely stated that she attended every initialed session in its entirety.
A copy of the indictment can be found 
here .
EARLIER STORY. POSTED 1:45 P.M. TUESDAY: Hall State Court Solicitor indicted (wgtjradio.com)