Warrants filed in Long County Superior Court on Monday allege that the former City Clerk for the City of Ludowici stole over $10,000 from the city by overcompensating herself.
Tina Beecher Skipper was arrested last week on felony Theft by Taking charges and booked into the Pierce County jail due to Long County not having an operational jail. She was released on a $50,000 property bond the following day.
Warrants signed by Matthew Edwards state that Tina Skipper “did, without permission, add an additional salary to her payroll of $1,985.67, which, over the course of October 7th through November 20th, 2025, added to the total amount taken of $10,373.62.”
Under Georgia law, Theft by Taking becomes a felony when the amount of property that was subject to the theft was at least $1,500.01 in value. There are enhanced penalties for Theft by Taking if the amount reaches the threshold of $5,000, again at the $25,000 mark, and for those who breach a fiduciary obligation as an officer or employee of a government or financial institution.
- If the theft was at least $5,000.00 but less than $25,000.00 in value, a person can be sentenced for 1-10 years in prison, though a judge can still reduce the offense to a misdemeanor, should he/she see fit.
- If the theft was taken by a fiduciary in breach of a fiduciary obligation or by an officer or employee of a government or a financial institution in breach of his or her duties as such officer or employee, the sentence is a minimum of one year and up to 15 years. A judge can also impose a fine of up to $100,000 under OCGA 17-18-10.
According to reports by other media entities, Skipper was serving as the city clerk when she applied for another position with the city – a grant writing position. She was reportedly hired for the second position, but would be compensated if grants were applied for and awarded. The Georgia Independent reported on Monday that Ludowici City Attorney Luke Moses released a statement on Skipper. In part, he stated:
“The unauthorized compensation Ms. Skipper paid herself is unrelated to grant writing or her position as a grant writer for the City.”
Unconfirmed reports on social media last week alleged that a grant was “written and approved” for a temporary pay increase for Skipper. The social media reports suggested that Mayor Jim Fuller authorized Skipper to begin paying herself the increase, which she did, and then backtracked on the directive because of concerns of ‘incorrect guidance.’ The same social media post stated that Skipper “paid $10,373.62 back to the city,” contending that Skipper only received $7,000, but paid back the taxes that the city paid on the compensation as well.
Skipper worked for the city for twelve years before she was terminated in November of 2025, according to city officials.
