December 01, 2015
Arrest of a Previous Tax Commissioner of Toombs County, Georgia
Lyons, GA. – On December 1, 2015, former Toombs County Tax Commissioner Julie Newsome was arrested by GBI Agents for an alleged embezzlement from the Toombs County Tax Commissioner’s Office. It is alleged that Newsome stole over $91,000 in county funds during 2011 and 2012 while she was serving as the Tax Commissioner of Toombs County. Evidence of the alleged theft was uncovered during audits which were conducted after Newsome left office. Newsome was charged with one count of Felony Theft by Taking and one count of Violation of Oath of Office. The investigation was conducted by the GBI Regional Office in Eastman at the request of the Middle Judicial Circuit's District Attorney Hayward Altman.