Embezzlement and fraud are both white collar crimes. Often, these terms are used interchangeably, but they are very different charges. While both involve the use of deception to purposely misappropriate funds, someone who has embezzled money has lawful access to those funds.
Outlined below are some common examples of embezzlement.
1. Charity embezzlement
Those involved in charitable organizations do important work. They often do this voluntarily and are placed in positions of trust. They may handle donations that come into the charity and ensure they get to the right people.
Unfortunately, in a minority of cases, a charity worker may abuse their position of power and misappropriate donations. They may take the funds that they have lawful access to self-profit rather than donate to people in need.
2. Siphoning funds
Many professions involve handling cash and dealing with customer transactions. For example, a grocery store clerk, a bank teller, servers and bar staff all take money for goods or services.
Generally, the goods or services offered are registered on a till or computer system and paid for accordingly. Nonetheless, this type of system offers the potential for siphoning. Siphoning occurs when a worker takes money in cash from the customer for a product or service but does not register it on the till system. The customer pays as usual, and the service is performed, but there is no official note of any transaction. The worker would then take the money for themselves, which is embezzlement. When cash isn’t used, the worker may run the customer’s card through an app on their own phone behind the customer’s back, making it look like they were charged by the company.
Embezzlement charges in Georgia are very serious. If you’ve been accused of a theft-related crime, having legal guidance behind you is essential.