A Mitchell County Grand Jury returned a two count indictment on April 26, 2011, against Susan Willis, a former case worker in the Department of Human Resources (DHR) Office of Child Support Services [1], in Mitchell County Superior Court. The indictment alleges that while employed by DHR, Willis stole approximately $17,031.00 in funds that had been paid by persons for child support.

Willis was indicted on one count of Racketeering (O.C.G.A. 16-14-4(a)), punishable by five to 20 years imprisonment, and one count of Theft by Taking (O.C.G.A. 16-8-2), punishable by ten years imprisonment.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Kimberly Schwartz is handling the case on behalf of the State of Georgia. The case was investigated by Sue Keenan and Randy Howard, Jr. of the Georgia Department of Human Services Office of Inspector General.

Members of the public should keep in mind that indictments contain only allegations against the individual(s) against whom the indictment is sought. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and it will be the government’s burden at trial to prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the allegations contained in the indictment.

[1] Since that time DHR has reorganized, and the agency that handles child support is now called the Georgia Department of Human Services.