October 02, 2017
Former GBI Agent Indicted for Spending More Than $60k on Illegal Purchases
On September 21, 2017, a DeKalb County Grand Jury indicted a former high-ranking Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent for engaging in a scheme of “using GBI P-cards provided to herself and other GBI employees to make unauthorized purchases of goods and services for the personal benefit of herself or others.”
Sandra Jean Putnam was indicted for one count of Racketeering (O.C.G.A. §16-14-4(a)) and one count of Violation of Oath by Public Officer (O.C.G.A. §16-10-1). The indictment alleges that Ms. Putnam acquired and maintained approximately $60,268.04 in goods and services between May 9, 2013, and August 17, 2016, through a pattern of racketeering activity contrary to the laws of the State of Georgia. Ms. Putnam resigned as an inspector after a search warrant was conducted at her residence and surrendered last year after at least one arrest warrant was issued.
The case was referred to the Office of the Inspector General by the Department of Administrative Services and investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Inspector General. Assistant Attorney General Blair McGowan is prosecuting the case on behalf of the State of Georgia.