Local News
Doerun thefts could reach $30K
DOERUN — Doerun’s city attorney said Thursday that thefts attributed to a former city clerk could total $30,000.
Debra Patrice Bryant, 52, of 712 Ticknor Road in Doerun, was charged Jan. 15 with two counts of theft by taking, according to Ronnie Thompson of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
She was bonded out of the Colquitt County Jail the same day, according to jail personnel. The officer checking the record said it did not indicate how much the bond was for.
Doerun city attorney Tommy Coleman said Bryant allegedly stole as much as $30,000 from the city over at least a two-year period. She allegedly made purchases at clothing stores, made ATM withdrawals and made out checks to herself.
The city was first made aware of the alleged thefts when a new auditor found about $1,300 in unexplained money that went to Bryant, Coleman said. Following the discovery, Bryant was asked to resign from her position, he said, and she immediately did. She was also asked to pay restitution for the missing $1,300.
More alleged thefts were found during a continued audit, and Coleman said the Doerun City Council made the decision to turn the investigation over to the GBI. Once the GBI investigation was completed, charges were brought against Bryant.
Bryant was clerk for six years, according to earlier reports.
