Georgia Prosecutor Pleads Guilty in Case of Misused Funds

A Georgia county prosecutor, Stephanie Woodard, has admitted to diverting crime victim funds for personal use.

At a Glance

Hall County Solicitor General Stephanie Woodard pleaded guilty to unprofessional conduct.
Woodard was accused of misusing funds from the county and the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia (PAC).
Misused funds included those meant for the Local Victim Assistance Program (LVAP).
Woodard resigned from her position, effective August 9.

Details of the Allegations

Hall County Solicitor General Stephanie Woodard has admitted to misusing funds intended for crime victims and other official purposes. She pleaded guilty to unprofessional conduct under the laws of Georgia. This acknowledgment comes in the wake of accusations leveled against her for using these funds for personal expenses, including travel and shopping for personal items.

Specifically, Woodard misappropriated funds from Hall County and the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia (PAC). Items she purchased included jewelry repairs, noise-canceling headphones, antique goods, dog cremation fees, and even a garden gnome. The misuse extended to funds earmarked for the Local Victim Assistance Program (LVAP), which are meant to support victims of crime.

Today, we announced that Hall County Solicitor General Stephanie Woodard has pleaded guilty to taking & misusing money from Hall County & @GAProsecutors, including funds intended to support & assist crime victims.

Read more: https://t.co/U8PMVfQKKG pic.twitter.com/7CST7AdcUl

— GA AG Chris Carr (@Georgia_AG) August 30, 2024

Consequences and Sentencing

As part of her guilty plea, Woodard has resigned from her position as Hall County Solicitor General, effective August 9. Additionally, she has been sentenced to 12 months of probation under Georgia’s First Offender Act. This probation means that if she completes it without violations, her record will be wiped clean.

“Mrs. Woodard took advantage of our state by violating the same laws that she was elected to uphold. She has now been held accountable for her actions,” said Attorney General Chris Carr

As part of her sentencing, Woodard has been ordered to pay nearly $1,200 in restitution to PAC and just over $1,000 to Hall County. This restitution is meant to compensate for the misused funds, including specific expenses such as $352.03 at Best Buy for headphones, $160.49 for Elite 7 Active earbuds, and $1,430 for an SAT prep course. Each of these expenditures was inappropriate and not authorized for personal use.

The Investigation

The case against Woodard was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and prosecuted by Senior Assistant Attorney General Laura D. Pfister. The rigorous investigation and subsequent trial underscore the gravity of betraying public trust, particularly by individuals in positions of authority.

“Hall County citizens entrusted Solicitor General Stephanie Woodard to serve the community with honesty and integrity. However, Woodard betrayed that trust for her personal gain. The GBI is committed to thoroughly investigating cases like this and ensuring accountability,” Chris Hosey, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, said.