Former Troup County Payroll Specialist Faces Federal Charges for Stealing Over $500,000
Wesleigh Gaddy, 35, of Hogansville, appeared in federal court on July 10, 2025, charged with theft from a program receiving federal funds.
According to U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg, Gaddy allegedly stole more than half a million taxpayer dollars by exploiting the personal information of over 75 former Troup County employees while serving as the county’s payroll specialist.
The investigation began in April 2025 after a Troup County Sheriff’s Office deputy reported discrepancies in his paycheck records. A county payroll review revealed that between March 2023 and May 2025, hundreds of payments were made to employees who no longer worked for the county. However, the funds were funneled into only three bank accounts, with Gaddy controlling at least one of them.
When interviewed, Gaddy admitted to stealing funds from the county payroll and directing the money to her own accounts.
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown and IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman emphasized the serious breach of public trust involved in this case.
The complaint was filed on July 3, 2025. Gaddy is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and IRS Criminal Investigation, with the Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office referring the case to federal authorities.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bethany L. Rupert and Garrett Bradford are prosecuting the case.
