Croy indicted for theft by taking and criminal attempt to commit a felony

On Monday, the Grand Jury indicted the former county clerk for theft by taking and criminal attempt to commit a felony. The indictment reads that “between the 2nd day of April, 2015, and the 27th day of April, 2018, the exact date of the offense being unknown to the Grand Jury . . .” Croy took over $1,500 from Grady County. The second charge of the indictment states that Croy “did knowingly and intentionally attempt to commit the crime of Theft By Taking, in violation of Code section 16-8-2 of the Official Code of Georgia, while an employee of a governmental institution to wit: Grady County, in that said accused did manipulate her payroll as far as federal and state withholding amounts, an act which constitutes a substantial step toward the commission of said crime. . .” The dates of the alleged theft are between Jan. 1, 2018 and Oct. 23, 2018.

Allegations against Croy arose after an internal audit of the county’s finances by Grady County auditor Perry Henry revealed alleged misappropriation of funds. According to county officials, Croy is accused of taking at least $5,847.45 in public money over a three year period beginning in 2015 by allegedly manipulating the county’s payroll and finance software to increase her net pay. Specifically, Henry’s audit allegedly showed that Croy removed deductions for federal and state taxes, insurance premiums and retirement fund contributions.

In addition to the alleged manipulation of her paycheck, Grady County administrator J.C. (Buddy) Johnson III, stated in a letter to Croy, issued upon her resignation, that the auditor had discovered other “findings that go beyond the information in this adverse action letter.”

Croy resigned her position as county clerk on Oct. 23, 2018. She had worked for Grady County since 2002, as county clerk since July 2008.