FLOYD COUNTY, Ga. — Ten people arrested in a $4 million racketeering scheme will spend the night in the Floyd County Jail.
Channel 2 Action News obtained video of Jimmy and Lisa Richardson handcuffed and being taken into the county jail. %
%
They both face federal RICO charges and police say were involved in the biggest racketeering scheme the county has ever seen. At the center of it, investigators believe is Lisa's husband and Jimmy's son Derry Richardson.
"He enlisted some vendor and they started inflating invoices, and once they did they funneled the money back through channels to get back to Derry and the other subjects involved," Maj. Jeff Jones of the Floyd County Police Department told Channel 2’s Liz Artz.
Derry Richardson was employed by the Floyd County school system as the district's maintenance director.
Police believe that during his 10 years with the district, he funneled $4 million from the district using various vendors, family members and other employees.
READ: Former BOE supervisor, others accused of stealing $3M from district
Jones believes Richardson took the job for no other reason than to steal money.
"A way to make money. I think he's done it before. And I think that he left the company ... left for that purpose to come to the board of education to take the money," Jones said. %
%
Thursday, 10 people were arrested for their alleged involvement in the scheme. Police say some have admitted to their part while others are claiming innocence.
Jones told Artz their 18-month investigation has recovered nearly $2 million in cash. They know some of the $4 million stolen was used to build a house and purchase other lavish items.
Some of the money has not been found, Jones said.
"You never find it all. It's almost impossible. So if you find $4 million then you can expect there's more," Jones said.
Police expect to arrest more than the 10 people who were taken into custody Thursday. Some of the charges carry up to 20 years in prison.
Cox Media Group
