Warrants filed late last week reveal the estimated amount of money one couple is alleged to have stolen from the Boys & Girls Club of Bulloch County.
Michael Edgar Jones, 53, and Leslie Marie Jones, 42, a husband and wife, were arrested by the Statesboro Police Department on June 2, 2023 following an investigation by the agency. Michael Jones served as the organization’s CEO while his wife was the bookkeeper.
They were both charged with one count of Theft by Taking (Felony) and surrendered themselves to the Bulloch County Jail.
Warrants filed in the clerk’s office last week reveal that the couple is charged with taking $62,556.12 between January 1, 2021 and May 2, 2023. The funds were allegedly taken from an Operating Account and a Grant Funding Account. Specifically, the warrant says Leslie Jones, in her capacity as bookkeeper and in violation of the law, did ‘aid and assist Mike Jones, her husband and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club, take money and services valued at $62,556.12.’
Michael Jones recently retired from his post as CEO and his wife departed shortly thereafter. The Statesboro Police Department subsequently launched their investigation on May 17, 2023 after being contacted by the Boys & Girls Club.
A person convicted of felony Theft by Taking is subject to imprisonment for not less than two nor more than 20 years if the property which was the subject of the theft exceeded $24,999.99 in value.
Unlike most felony cases in Bulloch County, there is no bond paperwork on file in the clerk’s office, but jail records indicate both Jones’ bonded out on $10,000 bond after one day or less in jail.
Court records on June 13 did not yet indicate either individual had an attorney on record. The case is currently assigned to Judge Michael Muldrew.
