Ex-DeKalb Commissioner Pleads Guilty To Theft

DECATUR, GA — Former DeKalb County Commissioner Stanley K. Watson on Wednesday pleaded guilty to theft for taking advances on county travel money, but not taking the trips. Watson was accused of cashing advance checks for government trips that he would later forego, according to news reports.

Watson was charged with one count of theft by conversion, according to DeKalb District Attorney Sherry Boston’s office. His troubles stem from checks written to him for DeKalb Board of Commissioners business trips to Chicago and Savannah in January 2016. Two months later, he resigned to run for the post of DeKalb tax commissioner, so he didn't attend the conferences and didn't repay the county then.

At a pre-trial hearing Wednesday Watson pleaded guilty to a charge of theft by conversion in connection with his apparent use of about $3,000 in county money for personal expenses, reports WXIA. Watson reportedly admitted to FBI agents that the money should be repaid, but he didn't reimburse the county until a year after the funds should have been returned, authorities say.

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