Court workers Kimberly Probst, Betty Petersen and Tammy Stine accused of stealing $485,000

Cherokee County police said they arrested three court reporters on Monday moing. The Cherokee County reporters are accused of stealing more than $485,000 by billing for pages that didn’t exist.

The investigation into the alleged billing irregularities began in mid-July at the request of District Attoey Shannon Wallace, according to Lt. Jay Baker. Investigators determined that three suspects were intentionally mis-formatting court records and receiving reimbursement, Baker said.

Betty Petersen, 73, of Woodstock, and Kimberly Probst, 50, of Woodstock, both surrendered Sunday and a third suspect, Tammy Stine, is expected to surrender Monday afteoon, Baker said. The three have been charged with theft by taking, theft by deception, giving false statements and racketeering, and investigators believe the crimes date back to 2006.

Petersen was released later Sunday by a magistrate’s order and Probst remains in custody with an $183,939 bond, Baker said.

Investigators allege Probst stole $59,821, Peterson stole $79,229, and the third suspect $346,676 from the county.