School bookkeeper Chyrokessia Rucks admits to near $23,000 theft

A former bookkeeper admits she stole nearly $23,000 from DeKalb Schools.

Chyrokessia Rucks was a bookkeeper at Stone Mountain High School when she stole nearly $23,000, authorities said. The case was tued over to the DeKalb County District Attoey’s Office after an inteal school audit revealed something was wrong.

”That is essentially taking money that would be used for sporting events and various extra-curricular activities and instead of putting it in the bank, she put it in her pocket, Dekalb County District Attoey Robert James told Georgia Newsday.

In an affidavit, Rucks claimed that part of the missing money was a deposit that was either lost, misplaced or stolen from her. She said she panicked and did everything she could to replace the money.

”We believe that this is pure, unadulterated theft by taking, James said.  ”When you steal from our schools, you steal from the community. You steal from our children. It’s a very serious offense.

After Rucks pleaded guilty to theft by taking, a judge sentenced her to 15 years of probation.  She must also repay more than $12,000 to Dekalb County Schools.  She has already repaid the rest.

Rucks resigned from her position at the school.  As part of the plea agreement, she cannot work in a position that involves handling money for the next 15 years.