A former staff member at the Dental College of Georgia in Augusta was sentenced to 15 years of probation for stealing nearly $300,000 from the school, The August Press reported June 28.
Dawn Nichole Gantt, 43, worked as an officer coordinator under the college's dean, Carol Lefebvre, and had sole control of the "Dean’s Discretionary Fund." The fund is meant to cover travel and training expenses for students, faculty and staff, and includes revenue made from the college's nonprofit dental practice.
Ms. Gantt stole money from the fund to pay for personal items, including bills, travel expenses and other personal purchases. She was indicted in May for 288 acts of theft, according to a news release from the Georgia Office of the Attorney General.
In addition to her probation, Ms. Gantt was also ordered to pay $278,000 in restitution. Additionally, she must pay a $75,000 fine within 12 months and remain employed full-time but can never work in a position of financial trust. She is also subject to searches of her property and finances without a warrant.