A former Georgia court clerk who stole fines and fees was sentenced to more than 12 years Thursday.
A judge in Columbus, Ohio, sentenced Willie Demps, 64, to Phenix City, Alabama. Demps admitted to bank fraud and tax evasion this year.
Federal prosecutors say Demps committed fraud while serving as a deputy court clerk for 30 years. Demps collected fines, fees, and other payments, often in cash kept in a safe.
Investigators found the office made $5.5 million from 2010 to 2019, but only $210 was deposited in 2019. No cash deposits were made before 2010 and bank records were unavailable.
In the fraud case, five more people were sentenced.
According to deputies, Quartavius Mender threatened to kill the Fulton sheriff and his wife if a YSL member was not released.
During the same period, Demps allegedly wrote 330 checks totalling $1.3 million from the clerk’s office to several accomplices, who cashed them and gave him a cut.
Demps admitted using the money for personal expenses, sending money abroad, and gambling.
Instead of serving Muscogee County, Willie Demps served himself. U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary said Demps stole millions of dollars from Muscogee County taxpayers to fund his gambling habit and pay for personal expenses.
“I want to commend the FBI, IRS, and Columbus Police Department for their meticulous and relentless effort to seek justice in this case.”
A former Georgia court clerk was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison on Thursday for stealing fines and fees.
Willie Demps, 64, of Phenix City, Alabama, was sentenced by a judge in Columbus, Ohio. This year, Demps admitted to bank fraud and tax evasion.
According to federal prosecutors, Demps committed fraud during his 30 years as a deputy court clerk. Demps was in charge of collecting fines, fees, and other payments, which he did in cash held in a safe.
Investigators discovered that from 2010 to 2019, the office produced $5.5 million, but just $210 was deposited in 2019. Before 2010, no cash deposits were made, and bank records were lacking.
Demps allegedly wrote 330 checks totalling $1.3 million from the clerk’s office to multiple accomplices, who cashed them and handed him a portion throughout the same period.
Demps admits to spending the money on himself, sending money abroad, and gambling.
Willie Demps served himself instead of Muscogee County. Demps allegedly stole millions of dollars from Muscogee County taxpayers to finance his gambling habit and pay for personal needs, according to US Attorney Peter D. Leary.
“I want to express my gratitude to the FBI, IRS, and Columbus Police Department for their thorough and unwavering efforts to bring this case to justice.”
Judge Clay Land ordered Demps to pay $1.3 million in restitution to the clerk’s office and $360,000 in uncollected taxes from his retirement benefits to the IRS.
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Judge Clay Land ordered Demps to pay $1.3 million in restitution to the clerk’s office and $360,000 in uncollected taxes to the IRS from his retirement benefits.
Five others were sentenced in the fraud case.
Quartavius Mender threatened to kill the Fulton sheriff and his wife if a YSL member wasn’t released, deputies say.
