Former Waleska City Manager Charged With Theft

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Waleska, GA -- A month long investigation has resulted in the arrest of Waleska’s former city manager.

Detectives with the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office have charged Aimee Abernathy, 43, of Cartersville with two counts of felony theft by taking.

The arrest follows a four-week investigation into allegations of missing city funds, the agency said. The former city manager is accused of making ”fraudulent payroll payments to herself in an excess of $14,000 during the almost five years she served as city manager,” Lt. Jay Baker with the sheriff’s office said.

She’s also accused of using the city’s MasterCard and Staple’s account for personal purchases that total nearly $8,000, Baker stated.

Abernathy, who resigned from her position in October, turned herself into deputies at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center Thursday afternoon. She remains in custody with a $60,818 bond.

Baker added the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.

Abernathy was initially named the sole finalist for the city manager position in Euharlee, but that position remains open, according to the city’s website.

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Photo: Aimee Abernathy. Credit: Cherokee Sheriff’s Office