Board Of Commissioners Employee In Clayton County Arrested For Embezzlement

Embezzlement is a common criminal charge among homeowners associations. In Clayton County, Georgia, an employee of the Board of Commissioners has also been arrested for embezzlement.

Multiple Felony Counts

Susan E. Butler is a 66-year-old employee of the Board of Commissioners of Clayton County. Butler was reportedly arrested for embezzlement earlier this month for pocketing $300,000 over several years.

According to news reports, Butler embezzled money from owners of Bulldog RV Park, a recreational vehicle park for people attending football games at the University of Georgia. Bulldog RV Park is a park that a homeowners association owns, and Butler served on the HOA board as treasurer.

The police have charged Butler with multiple felony counts of theft by conversion. Later that day, the police released her on bond.

Investigations by Property Owners

Property owners at the HOA carried out their own investigations, and they discovered gaps in the accounting after conducting an informal audit of the association’s bank accounts. According to their calculations, Butler had stolen a total of $300,000 over several years, beginning in 2017.

The homeowners promptly filed a police report, and authorities then began their own investigation soon after. The park’s owners also hired a Certified Public Accountant to audit the books of the HOA, which also arrived at the same conclusion.

The Bulldog RV Park HOA was able to recuperate some of the money that Butler stole by selling her property. It is still being determined whether or not the association can recover all of its losses.

HOA Fraud Is Not Uncommon

Homeowners associations are no strangers to fraud and embezzlement. Because these communities tend to handle a lot of money, the temptation always exists for board members. As such, HOAS must safeguardsafeguard its finances to protect both the association and its members. This includes conducting regular audits, imposing internal financial controls, and abiding by a strict code of ethics for board members.