Captain Resigns From Sandy Springs Police Department

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- A captain with the Sandy Springs Police Department has resigned amid allegations that his girlfriend, a former Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent, used a state-issued purchasing card to buy personal gifts for the officer.

Capt. Rob Stevens resigned from the force on Thursday, Aug. 18, Sandy Springs police confirmed to Patch. He most recently served as commander of the police department's Criminal Investigation Division.

Sandra Putnam, Stevens' girlfriend, is under investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation after an audit revealed "unusual" activity on her state-issued purchasing card, said GBI Deputy Director of Public Affairs Nelly Miles.

Items allegedly purchased for Stevens using the card include watches, a golf bag, shoes and clothing, Miles added. Sandy Springs police say items believed to have been obtained "fraudulently" will be turned over to the state agency.

The GBI was made aware of the alleged irregularities on the p-card on Wednesday, Aug. 17. As a result of the audits conducted by the Department of Administrative Services, the GBI was able to determine the card "assigned to GBI Inspector Sandra Putnam had been used in 192 transactions totaling over $26,000, which showed evidence of suspected criminal activity."

Putnam, the GBI contends, ordered those items for personal use and had them shipped directly to her home.

"She altered the invoices to reflect legitimate type items being purchased and submitted those receipts into the p-card management system," the GBI said.

The GBI initiated a criminal investigation and executed a search warrant at Putnam's home. The investigator was initially relieved of her duties as an agent, but submitted her resignation on Thursday, Aug. 18 in lieu of termination.

Agents continue to recover items purchased using the card and track how far back the alleged thefts stretch.

Putnam was 21-year veteran of the GBI, the agency added.

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Image via Sandy Springs Police Department