Former Georgia Non-Profit Exec Pleads Guilty In $300K Embezzlement Scheme

Sharon L. Rice, 46, formerly of LaGrange, Georgia, pleaded guilty last week to one felony count of wire fraud in connection with her alleged embezzlement of more than $300,000 from the Medical Association of Atlanta, a local non-profit organization where she had been employed as executive director. Rice was in charge of all day-to-day operations of the association, including handling its finances. Prosecutors originally charged Rice last March with 14 counts of wire fraud and two counts of mail fraud. Over more than four hears, from February 2004 until May 2008, Rice is alleged to have written herself a number of checks augmenting her salary as well as writing association checks to cover personal expenses made on a company credit card. Authorities believe Rice concealed her actions by making false entries in the books and records and forging co-signatures on some of checks. Sentencing is scheduled for August 25th.

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