Neighbors thought they were paying their taxes. Deputies say the Spalding clerk was stealing them

A former clerk at the Spalding County Tax Commissioner’s Office has been arrested for theft after deputies discovered she had been stealing money from taxpayers. Alteria Williams, 27, was charged with two counts of theft by taking and two counts of computer forgery after an investigation was launched by the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office. Tax Commissioner Sylvia Hollums noticed inconsistencies in the office’s records and reported it to the authorities.

One man reported paying his taxes in cash in May but received a notice that he had not paid. When he returned to the office to pay more taxes, he still did not receive a receipt. The next day, he went back to the office and asked for receipts of both transactions. The clerk, Williams, told him she hadn’t given him a receipt before because her printer was broken. That day, she gave him a fake receipt for the transactions.

The incident prompted an investigation, which led to Williams’ arrest. Sheriff Darrell Dix says they are continuing to investigate and that Williams could face more charges. Williams turned herself in to the jail on Thursday and has since bonded out of the Spalding County Jail.

This incident is a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in government offices. Taxpayers trust that their money is being handled properly and that their payments are being accurately recorded. When that trust is broken, it undermines the entire system and erodes public confidence in government institutions. (wsbtv.com)

It is also a reminder that even seemingly small acts of dishonesty can have serious consequences. Williams’ actions may have seemed like a quick and easy way to make some extra money, but they have now resulted in criminal charges and a tarnished reputation.

As taxpayers, we have the right to expect that our government officials and employees will act with integrity and honesty. When they fail to do so, it is up to us to hold them accountable and demand better. The arrest of Alteria Williams is a step in the right direction, but it is only the beginning. We must continue to demand transparency and accountability from our government officials and work to restore public trust in our institutions.