November 06, 2015
Former Director of Fort Gordon Youth Challenge Academy Charged with Racketeering
Attorney General Sam Olens today announced that former Fort Gordon Youth Challenge Academy Director Lynda Dukes was arraigned on one count of Racketeering (O.C.G.A. § 16-14-4(a)) in Richmond County Superior Court.
On October 27, 2015, a Richmond County Grand Jury returned an indictment against Lynda Dukes on one count of Racketeering for engaging in a scheme which resulted in the theft of almost $70,000 from Fort Gordon Youth Challenge Academy.
The indictment alleges that Dukes used Fort Gordon Youth Challenge Academy resources to make approximately $70,000 worth of transactions to benefit herself and others. The transactions included airline tickets, gasoline, ATM withdrawals, and checks payable to cash. Additionally, Dukes is accused of redirecting deposits intended for certain Fort Gordon Youth Challenge Academy accounts into an account over which she had sole control. The alleged activity took place between December 7, 2009, and March 4, 2013.
Racketeering is punishable by five to 20 years and/or a fine of up to $100,000 or three times the amount stolen.
Assistant Attorney General Blair McGowan is prosecuting the case on behalf of the State of Georgia. The case was investigated by Senior Deputy Inspector General Bill Donaldson and Investigator Austin Mayberry with the Office of the State Inspector General.