Ex-CFO Embezzled $1 Million From DeKalb Company: Charges

ATLANTA, GA — The former chief financial officer of a DeKalb County construction company is charged with embezzling more than $1 million from the company.

Carrie N. Harris, 53, of Jackson, was arraigned in U.S. District Court on charges of wire fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. She was indicted by a federal grand jury on Tuesday.

Harris was CFO of an employee-owned construction company. According to federal prosecutors, between 2008 and 2013, she used that position to issue more than 100 checks to pay for her personal expenses, including nearly $250,000 in flights, cruises and other vacation expenses.

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She made more than $100,000 in cash withdrawals and more than $100,000 in retail purchases, prosecutors say. When doing so, she allegedly used the president of the company's signature without authorization. The checks were allegedly from $4,500 to $17,000 and Harris is accused of concealing the fraud by falsifying entries on the company's check register and general ledger.

"As thieves get more and more creative, employers must build in checks and balances to avoid turning over the 'keys' to the kingdom," said U.S. Attorney Byung J. "BJay" Pak.

The case is being investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Labor.

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