GBI Arrests Office Manager for Insider Theft

Augusta, GA (August 14, 2020) – A five (5) months long investigation conducted by Special Agents and Digital Forensic Investigators of the Georgia Cyber Crime Center (G3C) of the GBI has resulted in the arrest of Susan Hankinson Thigpen, 59 years of age from Dearing, Georgia. 

In March of 2020, the GBI was requested by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office to assist in an investigation involving a financial theft from Women’s Health of Augusta PC.  The subsequent investigation revealed that Thigpen, acting in her capacity as Office Manager, accessed the company’s web-based payroll portal and unlawfully increased her salary.  During a time period from January of 2014 and June of 2019, Thigpen’s actions resulted in her defrauding her employer of approximately $893,353.69 in unauthorized salary overpayments.

Thigpen has been charged with the offense of Computer Theft under Georgia Computer Crimes statute.  Thigpen was taken into custody on Monday, August 10th, 2020, by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and has since been released on $27,700.00 bond.

The case will be turned over to Augusta Judicial Circuit District Attorney Natalie Paine for consideration of additional charges relating to the theft once the court system returns from Covid-19 related closures.