Paulding school accountant Julie Taylor accused of stealing money to buy boat

A Paulding County school system accountant is accused of stealing $25,000 and using it to buy a boat, the Sheriff’s Office said Monday.

Julie A. Taylor, 45, surrendered Friday and was charged with theft by conversion, Paulding County jail records showed. She was released after posting $11,200 bond.

”She obtained a check that she was allowed to have, but she converted the check into funds for her own personal use, Cpl. Ashley Henson told The Atlanta Joual-Constitution.

The $25,782.88 check was intended for the New Hope Leaing Center, but was instead paid to a marina, according to investigators. The school system discovered the misappropriated funds during an inteal audit and contacted the Sheriff’s Office, Henson said.

The boat allegedly purchased with money stolen from the school system was outside the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office on Monday.

Taylor allegedly purchased a boat with the stolen funds, Henson said. Deputies impounded the boat during a search of Taylor’s home, Henson said.

Taylor, who worked as a staff accountant at the district office, is no longer employed by the Paulding school system, a spokeswoman for the district said Monday afteoon.