'It's a crime': Crawford County probate clerk arrested for theft

A GBI press release says the clerk was charged with Theft by Taking and Providing False Statements this morning

by Zach Merchant

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Ga. — "She had access to money as people were coming in and paying fines and making payments and whatever -- might go on at the probate court and she just took the opportunity to steal," said GBI Special Agent in Charge JT Ricketson.

That's the allegation against Crawford County Probate Court Clerk Lindsay-Gilmore Hudson, according to Ricketson.

Law enforcement arrested her this morning and charged her with theft by taking and providing false statements, after they say she stole more than $4,000 of official Crawford County funds.

That theft charge, he says, is a felony and if she's convicted it could mean prison time.

"It could range anywhere from 1 to 15 years or so and again what you would hope for in a situation like this is restitution," said Ricketson.

Crawford County Sheriff Lewis Walker said his office requested the GBI's help on the case last year after a tip from the county's probate judge

"November 26th, I got contacted by our probate judge, Judge Pamela Busbee, about a possible theft that may have occurred in her office," said Walker.

A GBI press release says investigators eventually determined that, between March and November of last year, Gilmore-Hudson embezzled over $4,000 in official funds.

And to those who might say, "Yes, the allegation is not great, but in the scheme of things, $4,000 isn't all that much money," Sheriff Walker has a clear message.

"It's a crime -- it doesn't belong to you," he said. "If you're doing anything with funds that doesn't belong to you then these are the consequences that you'll be facing."

The GBI says they're still investigating the case. When they're finished, they'll turn their findings over to the district attorney's office.

Ricketson said it is his understanding Gilmore-Hudson is no longer working in the clerk's office. He did not know if she had resigned or been fired.

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'It's a crime': Crawford County probate clerk arrested for theft