THOMASVILLE — A Thomasville man hired to handle a local business’ payroll is accused of embezzling more than $300,000 over a period of several years.

Jimmy Dewayne Jones’ business, Accounting Associates of Thomasville, contracted with the local business to tally salaried and hourly employees’ pay and the amount of income, Social Security and Medicare taxes to be withheld.

At the end of each quarter, the money is supposed to be turned over to the Internal Revenue Service, said Lt. Tim Watkins, Thomas County Sheriff’s Office chief investigator.

“At the end of the quarter, he would not send that money in,” Watkins said.

The IRS repeatedly mailed notices to the business about the situation, but the business did not receive them.

Watkins said the business receives mail at a post office box, not at its physical address. The post office box number is different from that of the former business at the address.

“An IRS agent showed up at the business and asked why no taxes had been withheld for three to four years,” Watkins said.

The investigator said Jones took $333,967.72 from 2013 to 2017.

“The business is on the hook with the IRS for the money he stole,” Watkins said. “When the business settles with the IRS, employees will be in good standing.”

Jones, 62, Spruce Pine Drive, is charged with theft by conversion. He was released form the Thomas County Jail on a $10,100 bond.

“We’re going to ask federal authorities to take a look at this,” Watkins said.

Because the IRS had not received the money, employees unknowingly filed bogus tax returns. 

“The money had not been withheld from their checks,” Watkins said.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820