Former DeKalb Commissioner's 'Advisor' Arraigned for Theft, Conspiracy

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The man allegedly used by former DeKalb County Commissioner Elaine Boyer to illegally receive taxpayer funds for her own personal use has been arraigned on charges of conspiracy and federal program theft, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.

Marion Rooks Boynton, 73, a long-time friend of the Boyer family, began working for Elaine Boyer as a so-called political advisor in September 2009. However, prosecutors allege that Boynton never performed any services for Boyer or the county despite sending invoices in to the tune of $85,000.

Boynton allegedly kept $25,000 of the money and gave the rest to a bank account owned by Elaine and John Boyer, who began experience financial difficulties around the time Boynton was brought in to allegedly consult for the commissioner, prosecutors claim.

A federal grand jury handed down an indictment against Boynton on Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Boyer pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit mail fraud and wire fraud in September of 2014 and was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison in March of this year. She must also pay $87,350 in restitution for her fraud against DeKalb taxpayers.

John Boyer, Elaine’s husband, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit mail fraud earlier in March. Bob Lundsten, formerly Boyer’s chief of staff, was indicted on six counts of theft by taking and three counts of making false statements in April.