$800,000 Theft Buys Prison Time for Ex-Office Manager

Staff Report

According to Cobb District Attorney Vic Reynolds, a former office manager will go to prison after admitting she stole more than $800,000 from her Marietta employer.

Sharron Yvonne Rice, 45, pleaded guilty Monday afternoon to three counts of violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

Deputy Chief ADA John Melvin told the court that between 2005 and 2012, Rice had issued more than 800 company checks to fake vendors, forging her boss’ signature on them. The checks were deposited into accounts of shell companies.

Cobb Superior Court Judge Reuben M. Green sentenced Ms. Rice to 30 years, with eight years to serve in custody, and ordered her to pay $803,000 in restitution.

“This is a case of a trusted employee damaging a small business almost to the point of no return,” Melvin said. “The victim is still dealing with the havoc she caused, and I am thankful Judge Green saw fit to send Ms. Rice to prison. Thieves should beware in Cobb County.”

Marietta attorney Melvin Nash represented Rice, who has been in custody at the Cobb jail since September 2013.

A codefendant, Robert Whaley, is scheduled for trial on Monday, July 7.