Former Employee Arrested In $399K Theft From Lumpkin County Finance Department

LUMPKIN COUNTY, GA – The Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office has announced an arrest in a major theft investigation involving hundreds of thousands of dollars taken from county funds.

On November 4, 2025, the Sheriff’s Office was notified of a theft from the Lumpkin County Finance Department totaling $399,416.33. The case was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division, which determined the funds were stolen in violation of Georgia law under Theft by Deception (Felony).

Investigators were able to recover $100,008.96 during the course of the investigation and identified 52-year-old Magdalena Magadan as the suspect. Magadan was located in Orlando and taken into custody by Florida law enforcement.

Following her arrest, extradition proceedings were initiated, and Magadan was transferred to the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center on January 14, 2026, for processing. At her first court appearance, she was denied bond and remains in custody.

The investigation remains active as authorities continue to address the financial impact of the theft.