On December 11, 2017, former Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Inspector Sandra Jean Putnam pled guilty to Racketeering (O.C.G.A. § 16-14-4(a) and Violation of Oath by Public Officer (O.C.G.A. § 16-10-1), offenses which could result in sentences of up to 20 years in prison and loss of her pension.  Ms. Putnam was sentenced under the Georgia First Offender Act to 10 years’ probation, which will terminate once she has completed 200 hours of community service and has repaid the $60,268.04 she charged on state credit cards from May 2013 until August 2016 purchasing items such as clothes, electronics and furniture. 

Ms. Putnam resigned after 23 years of state service after a search warrant was conducted at her residence in August 2016 and surrendered after an arrest warrant was issued. 

The case was referred to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) by the Department of Administrative Services and investigated by GBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge J.T. Ricketson and OIG Deputy Inspector General Austin Mayberry. Assistant Attorney General Blair McGowan prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Georgia.