By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support local journalism.
Company out $100,000
Employee arrested for theft
1 Theft mug
Mathews

A longtime employee accused of taking more than $100,000 from a local grading company turned herself into authorities last week.

  

Stacy Mathews, 44, of Dawsonville faces a single count of felony theft by taking.

  

She was released Oct. 13 on $50,200 bond, according to jail records. A court date has not been set.

  

Dawson County Sheriff’s Lt. Tony Wooten said Mathews’ arrest followed an investigation into unauthorized transactions on business accounts for TW Phillips Grading, where she had worked for more than 11 years.   

  

Wooten said company CEO Tracy Phillips reported the theft in mid-September after receiving notification of unpaid company taxes.

  

As the company’s administrative assistant, Mathews was an authorized agent on the accounts, but used funds for personal expenses, Wooten said.

  

The thefts reportedly occurred between January 2006 and July 26.

  

As of Tuesday, the amount missing was about $107,000, though Wooten said the total could grow as the investigation proceeds.

  

“We have subpoenaed through court order her accounts, credit cards and who she is in debt to,” Wooten said. “Once we get these records back, there is a great possibility the amount will increase.”

  

Wooten said Phillips and his wife, Lisa, considered Mathews an “entrusted employee that was like family.”