Georgia State Employee Arrested, Charged With Theft

Angela Garner had a 23-year career with Georgia State University.

As business manager for the Department of Kinesiology and Health, she earned nearly $63,000 a year.

Now, Garner is out of a job after being arrested Tuesday and charged with theft.

“Her employment with the university has been terminated. Yesterday she was arrested for theft by taking,” said Maj. Anthony Coleman.

Georgia State University police said Garner bought a TV with her university purchase card, or P card, as they are commonly called.

Auditors informed police of irregularities with purchases on Garner's Visa P card.

The $257, 19-inch TV was shipped to her office at Georgia State. Investigators questioned her Tuesday afternoon at her office. They told Channel 2 Action News reporter Diana Davis that Garner admitted buying the TV and taking it home.

“She told us where it was. The investigators went to her home with her and they recovered the television,” said Coleman.

Davis went to Garner’s Lilburn home to get her side of the story. No one answered and Garner did not return Davis’ phone call.

“She didn’t really explain why she had it at home, but she did say she was going to return it,” the university said.

A letter that Davis obtained from a GSU whistleblower claimed that the TV is the tip of the iceberg, and outlines claims investigators are now checking.

The whistleblower alleges that Garner took either two or three university laptops to her home. When her department made legitimate purchases for items like Nintendos, the whistle blower said Garner would order 23 and take one home.

The whistle blower also said that Garner often sent large packages to Chicago via Fed Ex always at the department’s expense.

“We've heard the same information,” said Coleman. “Our auditing department along with our investigation division are looking into those charges. She did admit to the one television yesterday … that’s how she was arrested on those charges yesterday. However we are still investigating the other accusations.”

In 2007, an investigation revealed widespread abuse within the Georgia University System. The chancellor then said all transactions would be subject to audits. There were at least 20,000 employees with purchasing cards at the time.