Sherry Turner-Seila, Embezzlement, Georgia 2019

Sherry Turner-Seila, 52, of Panama City Beach, Florida, formerly of Watkinsville, Georgia, has admitted to ripping off $118,451.80 from Oconee County taxpayers through a devious payroll scheme that exploited her role as Human Resources Director. The confession, entered in federal court, exposes a years-long theft operation that leveraged her privileged access to county payroll systems.

Turner-Seila pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft before U.S. District Judge C. Ashley Royal. The charge carries a mandatory two-year federal prison sentence, a $250,000 fine, and one year of supervised release. Parole is not an option in the federal system. The signed plea agreement confirms she owes $118,451.80 in restitution to Oconee County, the full sum she siphoned from public funds.

From July 6, 2016, to July 5, 2019, Turner-Seila weaponized her position to alter direct deposit records for former employees, rerouting their final paychecks into her personal bank account. As one of the few county staff with access to the payroll system, she executed the fraud repeatedly, keeping the theft hidden for nearly three years. The stolen funds were drawn directly from the county’s bank account—money meant to serve public services and employees.

“The defendant used her position and access to systematically steal money from Oconee County taxpayers—a deception she kept up over many years,” said U.S. Attorney Charles “Charlie” Peeler. “Theft of the public trust is a serious offense, and our office will prosecute those who use their positions of power for illegal gains.” Peeler credited the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI for their joint investigation.

“This was a methodical plan by Turner-Seila to knowingly steal money from the taxpayers of Oconee County,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Atlanta Field Office. “Public corruption is a priority for the FBI, and we continue to work with our local and federal partners to protect our citizens against officials who abuse their positions of trust.”

Oconee County Sheriff Scott Berry welcomed the guilty plea, stating, “We are pleased with the swift work by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI. This case was a serious matter to many county employees and their families. We are very pleased with the outcome.” Sentencing is set for November 18, 2020. The case was prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Leary. For media inquiries, contact Pamela Lightsey at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges at (478) 765-2362, both with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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